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COMICAL  CREATURES 

FROM 


WURTEMBERG. 


From  the  Examiner,  August  2d. 


“ The  title-page  of  this  agreeable  little  volume  sufficiently  commends  its  pleasant 
contents.  To  whom,  old  or  young,  will  it  not  be  welcome?  Who  has  not,  young 
or  old,  seen,  laughed  at,  revisited,  and  brought  away,  pleasant  recollections  of  tho 
Stuffed  Animals  from  the  Zollverein  ? 

“ It  was  a good  notion,  that  of  perpetuating  these  clever  productions  by  means 
of  daguerreotype  and  wood-engraving.  They  are  very  nicely  executed  in  this  volume, 
and  wonderfully  like.  It  is  needless  to  particularise  where  all  is  so  graphic  and 
faithful;  but  let  the  studious  little  rabbit  over  his  arithmetic  lesson  at  p.  32,  with 
that  demure  conscience-stricken  pair  behind  him  wincing  at  the  flogging  of  their  idle 
brother,  be  especially  admired. 

“ We  must  add  that  the  letterpress  is  not  unworthy  of  the  humour  and  fidelity 
of  the  illustrations.  The  various  Weasels,  Rabbits,  and  Foxes,  are  brought  into 
one  little  tale ; the  Wonderful  Hare-Hunt  into  another ; the  Tea-Party  of  Kittens, 
and  the  Martin  and  Tabby,  into  a third  ; the  Duel  of  the  Dormice,  and  the  Frogs, 
form  two  separate  and  ingenious  anecdotes  ; and  the  story  of  Reynard  the  Fox  is 
quaintly  related  in  prose  so  far  as  was  necessary  to  explain  the  six  comical  groups  of 
Ploucquet. 

“ We  predict  a great  run  at  Christmas  for  the  Comical  Creatures  from  Wurtem- 
hery." 


From  the  Morning  Chronicle,  August  12/A. 

“ The  book  is  a clever  and  a pleasant  memento  of  the  Great  Exhibition.  The 
drawings  are  careful  and  clever,  and  convey  a very  correct  representation  of  the 
original  creatures,  with  all,  or  nearly  all,  their  subtlety  of  expression  and  aspect. 
The  capital  fatuity  of  the  Rabbits  and  Hares,  the  delightful  scoundrelism  of  the 
Fox,  the  cunning  shrewdness  of  the  Marten  and  Weasels,  the  hoyden  visages  of  the 
Kittens,  and  the  cool,  slippery  demeanour  of  the  Frogs,  are  all  capitally  given.  The 
book  may  lie  on  the  drawing-room  table,  or  be  thumbed  in  the  nursery;  and  in 
the  latter  case  we  have  little  doubt  that  many  an  urchin  still  in  petticoats  will  in 
future  years  associate  his  most  vivid  recollection  of  the  Great  Exhibition  of  1851 
with  Mr.  Bogue’s  perpetuation  of  the  Comical  Creatures  from  Wurtemherg." 


THE 


COMICAL  CREATURES 


FROM 


WURTEMBERG, 

3tirlnMng  tjjc  ^tatj  nf  llnjuart  tljc  fax. 

WITH  TWENTY  ILLUSTRATIONS, 

/? 

DRAWN  FROM  THE  STUFFED  ANIMALS  CONTRIBUTED  BY 
HERMANN  PLOUCQUET  OF  STUTTGART 
TO  THE  GREAT  EXHIBITION. 

9 

tlrirb  Coition, 

o 

f 

NEW  YORK: 

GEO.  P.  PUTNAM,  10  PARK  PLACE. 


1852. 


PREFACE. 


To  Herrmann  Ploucquet,  Preserver  of  Objects  of  Natural 
History  at  the  Royal  Museum  of  Stuttgart, — the  capital  of  the 
kingdom  of  Wurtembeg, — we  are  indebted  for  one  of  the  clever- 
est and  most  popular  displays  in  the  Great  Exhibition.  Every 
one,  from  her  Majesty  the  Queen  down  to  the  least  of  the  cliarity- 
boys,  hastens  to  see  the  Stuffed  Animals  from  the  Zollverein; 
every  one  lingers  over  them  and  laughs  at  them  as  long  as  the 
crowd  will  allow;  and  every  one  talks  of  them  afterwards  with 
a smile  and  a pleasing  recollection. 

That  these  clever  productions  of  Ploucquet’ s talent  may  be 
long  perpetuated,  we  have  had  daguerreotypes  of  them  taken  by 
Mr.  Claudet,  and  engravings  made  from  them  on  wood  as  faith- 
fully like  as  possible. 

"We  must  beg  our  readers  to  remember  that,  excepting  “ Rey- 
nard the  Pox,”  our  sketches  have  been  written  to  illustrate  the 
drawings,  for  on  this  plea  we  claim  some  indulgence ; but  as  we 
know  full  well  that  the  pictures  will  be  the  main  attraction  of  the 
volume,  we  are  not  apprehensive  of  much  criticism. 


PREFACE. 


The  story  of  “ Reynard  the  Fox”  is  told  briefly  in  the  words  of 
an  old  version  of  this  wonderful  tale  published  in  England  many 
years  ago.  In  Germany  Steinect'e  $ud)6  is  as  popular  as  our  “ Jack 
the  Giant-Killer.”  Carlyle  says,  “ Among  the  people  it  was  long 
a house-book  and  universal  best  companion ; it  has  been  lectured 
on  in  Universities,  quoted  in  imperial  Council-halls ; it  lay  on 
the  toilets  of  princes,  and  was  thumbed  to  pieces  on  the  bench 
of  the  artisan : we  hear  of  grave  men  ranking  it  next  to  tlicir 
Bible.” 

Goethe  took  the  story  of  “ Reynard”  for  the  subject  of  a great 
poem ; and  the  famous  painter  Kaulbacli  has  recently  illustrated 
Goethe’s  version  with  perhaps  the  finest  series  of  pictures  with 
which  a book  was  ever  adorned. 

Herrmann  Ploucquet  has  had  the  good  taste  to  select  six  of 
these  designs  as  models  for  his  works.  He  has  admirably  pre- 
served the  expression  which  the  painter  gave  to  the  Eox  and  his 
dupes,  and  every  one  recognises  them  with  pleasure. 


CONTENTS. 


The  Weasels  of  Holm-Wood 
The  Wonderful  Hare-Hunt 
The  Duel  of  the  Dormice  . 

The  Six  Kittens 

The  Frogs  who  would  a-wcoing  go 
The  Story  of  Reynard  the  Fox  . 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


The  Wonderful  Hare-Hunt  (Double  Plate)  . . . Frontispiece. 

Dame  Weasel  and  her  Family 14 

The  attentive  Physician 17 

The  very  attentive  Physician  . . . . . . . 21 

Old  Marten  and  Sharp  Weasel,  Esq. 25 

Mr.  Bantam’s  Interview  with  Old  Marten  .....  29 

Longtail  teaching  the  young  Rabbits  Arithmetic  ...  33 

Jack  Hare  and  Grace  Marten  leading  off  the  Ball  ...  37 

The  Duel  of  the  Dormice 44 

The  Kittens  at  Tea — Miss  Paulina  singing  ....  48 

Ensign  Squeaker  and  Miss  Rose 51 

Young  Marten  bidding  farewell  to  Miss  Paulina  ...  55 

The  Frogs  who  would  a- wooing  go 58 

Reynard  at  Home  at  Malepardus  ......  62 

Reynard  in  the  likeness  of  a Hermit  . . . .’  65 

Sir  Tibert  delivering  the  King’s  Message 71 

Reynard  brings  forward  the  Hare  as  his  Witness  . . . 81 

Reynard  on  his  Pilgrimage  to  Rome ( 85 

Reynard  attacketh  Laprell  the  Rabbit 91 


dame  weasel  and  her  children. 


THE 


WEASELS  OF  HOLM-WOOD. 


CHAPTER  I. 

In  a pleasant  country  where  green  meadows  lay  stretched  by  tho 
side  of  a broad  river  whose  banks  were  lined  with  the  pollard- 
willow  and  tall  poplar,  there  once  dwelt  a family  of  Weasels, 
known,  from  then'  place  of  residence,  as  the  Weasels  of  Holm- 
wood. 

Holm-wood  was  a little  island  covered  with  underwood,  rushes, 
and  wild  flowers.  A few  aged  trees  stood  by  its  edge,  bathing 
their  long  arms  in  the  stream,  and  in  tho  hollow  trunk  of  one  of 
these  the  Weasels  lived. 


1G 


THE  WEASELS  OE  HOLM-WOOD. 


Any  fine  morning  you  miglit  have  seen  the  mother  of  this 
family  carrying  her  infant  in  her  arms,  and  followed  by  her  other 
children,  a girl  and  two  hoys,  who  would  amuse  themselves  by 
dragging  little  wooden  horses,  playing  at  soldiers  with  mock  mus- 
kets, running  against  the  wind  with  little  whirligig  mills,  or  fro- 
licking about  with  a thousand  of  the  antics  of  children.  Their 
father,  known  every  where  as  Old  Weasel,  was  of  a most  resolute 
and  unbending  disposition ; lie  made  many  enemies,  and  was  ever 
at  war  with  one  or  other  of  his  neighbours.  The  Partridges  of 
Clover-field  asserted  that  he  sucked  their  eggs  and  stole  their 
young  ones  ; the  31  abb  its  of  the  Warren  held  Old  Weasel  and  all 
his  family  in  the  deepest  abhorrence,  and  accused  them  of  the 
greatest  cruelties ; but  no  one  complained  of  them  more  bitterly 
than  Dame  Partlett  of  the  Farm,  who  accused  the  whole  tribe  of 
being  born  enemies  of  her  race,  and  said,  that  were  it  not  that 
Old  Weasel  himself  was  dreadfully  afraid  of  her  neighbour  and 
friend,  young  Mastiff  of  Kennel-wood,  she  verily  believed  that  she 
should  never  know  any  peace  on  earth. 

All  the  world  will  understand  how,  with  such  a character,  the 
Weasels  had  but  few  friends,  and  that  when  Miss  Weasel  grew  to 
be  of  age,  she  should  have  but  few  admirers ; nevertheless  two  or 
three  families  who  were  related  to  them  by  blood  kept  up  an  occa- 
sional acquaintance,  and  among  them  the  Ferrets  of  Hollow-oak 
were  the  most  intimate.  Now  it  so  happened  that  one  evening, 


THE  ATTENTIVE  PHYSICIAN 


the  weasels  of  holm-wood. 


TO 


when  out  for  a ramble  in  the  woods,  a branch  of  a tree  on  which 
Miss  easel  had  mounted  in  order  to  get  nearer  to  young  Linnet, 
with  whom  she  wished  to  be  on  intimate  terms,  broke  suddenly 
off,  and  the  poor  young  lady  was  precipitated  to  the  ground  and 
sadly  hurt.  Her  cries  brought  to  her  assistance  her  voumrer 
brother  Tom,  who,  as  soon  as  lie  had  helped  her  home,  ran  for 
young  Ferret,  who  had  lately  begim  practice  as  a physician.  When 
the  good  young  doctor  came,  he  found  Miss  Weasel  lying  on  the 
sofa,  looking  very  pale  and  very  interesting.  He  felt  her  pulse, 
looked  at  her  tongue,  and  soon  discovered  that  the  lady  was  more 
frightened  than  hurt.  However,  as  he  had  not  many  patients, 
he  did  not  choose  to  tell  all  the  truth,  but  prescribing  a simple 
remedy,  lie  ordered  her  to  keep  very  quiet,  and  promised  to  call 
again  on  the  next  day.  Whether  it  was  that  Miss  Weasel  had 
been  hurt  more  than  her  physician  had  thought,  or  whether  there 
were  any  other  inducements,  we  cannot  say ; but  young  Ferret 
thought  it  his  duty  to  call  at  Holm-wood  every  morning,  and 
sometimes  twice  a day,  for  at  least  a month  : and  if  any  one  could 
have  seen  how  frequently  he  felt  Miss  Weasel’s  pulse,  and  how 
anxiously  lie  studied  every  expression  of  her  face,  he  would  have 
set  down  Hr.  Ferret  as  a very  attentive  at  least,  if  not  excellent 
physician. 

When  Miss  "Weasel  became  somewhat  stronger,  this  good 
young  man  would  lend  his  arm  for  her  support  during  an 


20 


THE  WEASELS  OE  HOLM-WOOD. 


evening  walk,  would  bring  her  birds’  eggs  and  other  delicacies, 
and  in  many  ways  endeavour  to  contribute  to  her  restoration 
to  health. 

This  went  on  for  some  time,  till  the  gossips  of  the  neigh- 
bouring village  would  smile  whenever  they  saw  the  doctor  wend- 
ing his  wav  towards  Holm-wood ; and  Miss  Weasel’s  two  brothers 
would  immediately  leave  their  lessons,  which  their  sister  used  to 
teach  them,  as  soon  as  ever  the  physician  appeared  in  sight. 


CHAPTER  II. 


The  other  relations  of  the  Weasels  who  were  on  visiting  terms 
with  them  were,  the  Polecats  of  The  Grange,  who  came  but  sel- 
dom, and  the  Martens  of  Porest-farm,  with  whom  they  were  more 
intimate.  Now  old  Mr.  Marten  had  always  intended  that  his  own 
son  Longtail,  who  kept  a boarding-school  for  hoys  near  the  War- 
ren, should  marry  Miss  Weasel;  and  when  lie  heard  of  the  phy- 
sician’s great  attentions  to  that  young  lady,  he  was  very  wroth. 
At  first  he  thought  of  way-laying  young  Eerret  in  the  wood  and 
killing  him ; hut  then  he  recollected  that  the  Ferrets  were  a 
powerful  family,  who  would  never  rest  till  they  had  been  revenged. 
His  next  thought  was  to  go  to  his  attorney,  Sharp  Weasel,  Esq., 
of  Nettle  Cottage,  and  consult  with  him  as  to  the  best  means 
of  thwarting  young  Ferret’s  projects.  So  the  old  man  took  down 
his  pipe  and  his  account-book,  and  set  off  to  the  attorney. 


24 


THE  WEASELS  OF  HOLM-WOOL. 


Mr.  Sharp  Weasel  was  well  pleased  to  see  so  excellent  a client 
as  old  Mr.  Marten,  and  received  him  with  many  smiles.  The  two 
quickly  laid  down  a plan  of  proceedings,  and  Mr.  Marten  produced 
his  account-hook,  and  proved  that  young  Ferret  owed  him  for  the 
following  goods  sold  and  delivered,  viz.  one  young  rabbit;  item, 
one  wood-pigeon ; item,  one  brace  of  partridges ; item,  one  cock- 
pheasant  ; item,  one  duckling ; item,  one  fat  gosling. 

For  this  account  young  Ferret  was  next  day  summoned  be- 
fore Judge  Fox,  who,  after  hearing  the  case,  immediately  gave 
judgment  in  favour  of  plaintiff;  and  as  young  Ferret  had  not 
sufficient  funds  to  meet  this  unexpected  demand,  lie  was  forth- 
with arrested  and  sent  to  prison. 

Old  Mr.  Marten  chuckled  and  was  well  pleased  at  the  success 
of  his  stratagem,  and  was  on  his  way  to  his  son  Longtail  to  tell 
him  of  what  he  considered  the  good  news,  when  he  met  Mr.  Ban- 
tam of  Ilolm-farm,  searching  for  his  wife  and  daughters,  who  had 
wandered  for  a walk.  Bantam,  it  was  evident,  did  not  particularly 
wish  for  this  meeting,  for  his  comb  grew  very  red,  and  he  strutted 
off  at  a quick  pace  in  an  opposite  direction ; but  old  Marten  ran 
through  some  bushes,  and  caught  him  just  as  he  was  getting  clear 
of  the  wood. 


OLD  SIAUTEN  AND  MIAIlP  WLASLL, 


THE  WEASELS  OF  nOLM-WOOD. 


27 


“ Good  morning,  Mr.  Bantam,”  said  lie. 

“ Good  morning,  sir,”  said  Bantam,  shaking  in  every  feather. 

“ I want  you  to  do  me  a service,  Bantam,”  continued  old 
Marten ; “ hut  you  must  not  say  one  word  of  what  I am  going 
to  tell  you.” 

Bantam  promised  this,  as  indeed  he  would  have  any  tiling  else. 

“You  must  go  to  Old  Weasel  of  Holm-wood,”  whispered 
Marten,  laying  his  forepaws  on  Bantam’s  breast  to  hold  him  near 
him,  “ and  find  his  daughter.  Tell  her  that  young  Perret  is  a 
scapegrace  and  a good-for-nothing  fellow,  and  that  Judge  Pox 
has  sent  him  to  prison.  Then  tell  her  that  I am  very  rich,  and 
that  my  son  Longtail  is  making  a handsome  fortune  by  his  school. 
This  is  a delicate  matter,  Bantam : if  you  manage  cleverly,  I will* 
be  your  friend  through  life;  if  you  betray  me,  mark  this.”  And 
the  old  man  clapped  his  paw  on  the  cutlass  he  usually  wore  by  his 
side. 

Bantam,  glad  to  get  out  of  his  clutches  on  any  terms,  promised 
the  strictest  compliance,  and  flew  rather  than  ran  back  to  his 
farmyard  as  soon  as  he  was  released.  There  the  first  person  he 
saw  was  his  wife,  who  had  returned,  and  was  wondering  what  had 


28 


THE  WEASELS  OE  HOLM-WOOD. 


become  of  him.  To  her,  of  course,  he  told  all  his  strange  adven- 
ture, and  she,  silly  thing,  went  immediately  and  cackled  the  whole 
story  to.  Dame  Goose ; who  told  it  to  one  of  the  young  Goslings, 
who  told  it  to  old  Mr.  Drake  ; he  quacked  it  about  so  loudly  that 
his  wife  and  children  soon  learned  it ; and  in  ten  minutes  there 
was  not  one  in  all  Holm-farm  who  did  not  know  of  this  won- 
derful adventure.  As  for  performing  his  promise,  we  must  do 
Mr.  Bantam  the  credit  of  saying  he  never  for  a moment  thought 
of  being  such  a silly,  for  he  well  knew  that  the  day  which  saw 
him  enter  Old  Weasel’s  house  would  be  his  last. 


CHAPTER  III. 


After  old  Marten  had  let  Bantam  go,  he  himself  went  straight 
to  his  son,  whom  he  found  engaged  in  his  professional  pursuits. 
At  the  moment  of  his  father’s  entry,  young  Longtail  was  hearing 
a class  of  the  young  Rabbits,  on  one  of  whom  he  was  inflicting 
summary  chastisement  for  great  neglect  and  carelessness  in  his 
arithmetic.  The  poor  young  fellow  was  squeaking  terribly,  and 
his  three  brothers,  with  tears  in  their  eyes,  were  trying  with  all 
their  might  to  cast  up  their  sums  on  their  slates,  which  shook  so 
in  their  hands  that  they  could  scarce  see  the  figures.  Then*  master 
left  off  the  beating  when  he  saw  his  father,  and  consequently 
young  Rabbit,  for  the  first  and  perhaps  only  time  in  his  life,  was 
very  glad  to  see  the  old  man.  The  class  was  dismissed ; and  if 
you  had  seen  these  four  youngsters  scamper  off,  shaking  their 
white  tails  and  jumping  half  a yard  high  as  they  ran  to  the 


32 


THE  WEASELS  OF  HOLM- WOOD. 


'Warren,  you  would  have  thought  it  was  a good  thing  to  have  the 
light-heartedness  of  children. 

The  Martens,  father  and  son,  retired  up  an  oak-tree,  at  the  old 
man’s  request,  to  talk  over  their  private  affairs.  When  the  son 
heard  of  his  father’s  plans,  and  how  young  Ferret  had  been  arrested, 
he  was  struck  dumb  with  amazement.  lie  had  never  dreamed  that 
his  father  would  interfere  in  such  a matter ; and  if  the  truth  must 
he  told,  he  was  already  engaged  to  Miss  Pussy,  the  eldest  daughter 
of  old  Mrs.  Hare  of  the  Ferns. 

However,  he  knew  better  than  to  contradict  his  father’s  inten- 
tions too  suddenly,  for  lie  felt  assured  that  the  old  man  would  cut 
him  off  with  a shilling  if  he  were  to  offend  him ; so  he  pretended 
to  acquiesce  in  all  that  was  said,  and  promised  compliance  in 
every  particular. 

Put  as  soon  as  his  father  had  bidden  him  farewell,  and  had 
got  out  of  sight,  young  Longtail  ran  as  fast  as  his  legs  would 
carry  him  to  the  cavern  where  the  doctor  was  imprisoned,  paid 
the  amount  of  the  debt  for  which  he  had  been  arrested,  and  took 
young  Ferret  home  with  him  to  consult  about  their  future  conduct. 

It  would  have  amused  you,  could  you  have  heard  all  the  plans 
discussed  by  these  young  lovers  for  their  joint  benefit ; how  the 


LONGTAIL  TEACHING  THE  YOUNG  RABBITS  ARITHMETIC 


THE  WEASELS  OF  HOLM-WOOD. 


35 


one  talked  of  liis  darling  Miss  Weasel,  and  the  other  of  his  dear 
Miss  Pussy ; how  they  agreed  that  in  matters  of  love  every  thing 
was  allowable ; and  how  they  swore  eternal  friendship  to  each 
other  throughout  their  lives. 

Two  days  afterwards  it  was  known  all  over  Holm-wood  that 
the  fair  Miss  Weasel  had  eloped  with  Longtail  Marten.  Mrs. 
Goose  and  the  four  Miss  Goslings  were  full  of  the  information  for 
every  one  they  met.  It  was  the  finest  piece  of  scandal  they  had 
known  for  years.  “ Only  think,”  said  they,  “ after  all  her  en- 
gagement to  young  Doctor  Ferret,  to  go  and  take  up  with  the 
schoolmaster ; and  all,  forsooth,  because  Old  Marten  is  rich !” 

But  scarce  had  the  first  news  of  Miss  Weasel’s  extraordinary 
behaviour  run  through  the  farm-yard,  than  old  Bantam  was  seen 
hurrying  in,  very  red  in  the  face  from  over  exertion,  and  was 
heard  to  declare,  that  he  never  knew  the  like  of  it,  but  as  sure  as 
he  was  a living  cock,  he  had  met  young  Ferret  the  physician 
running  away  with  Miss  Pussy,  the  daughter  of  old  Mrs.  Hare  of 
the  Ferns.  Mrs.  Goose  turned  up  the  whites  of  her  eyes  and 
almost  fainted.  Dame  Partlett  ran  with  all  speed,  that  she  might 
he  the  first  to  cackle  the  intelligence  to  Mr.  Drake ; and  the  whole 
island  was  soon  in  a ferment  at  this  wonderful  piece  of  gossip. 


Of  course,  old  Mr.  Marten  soon  heard  of  all  this ; and  so 


36 


THE  WEASELS  OP  HOLH-WOOD. 


pleased  was  lie  that  he  immediately  altered  his  will,  doubling  the 
amount  he  had  previously  given  to  his  dear  boy  Longtail,  and 
getting  so  extremely  excited  at  the  “Huntsman  and  Hounds”  on 
the  same  afternoon,  that,  sad  to  relate,  he  was  untimely  carried 
off  by  an  effusion  of  blood. 

And  what  think  you  became  of  the  lovers  ? Why,  the  very 
day  all  this  commotion  happened  at  Holm-wood  the  two  pair  met 
at  their  aunt’s,  old  Mrs.  Stoat’s,  of  Pour-mile  Cross,  as  they  had 
agreed.  There  the  young  fellows,  overjoyed  at  the  success  of  their 
scheme,  changed  then'  fair  partners,  and,  to  complete  their  hap- 
piness, immediately  set  out  for  a tour  on  the  neighbouring  Con- 
tinent. 

There,  on  fine  summer  evenings,  you  might  often  have  seen 
the  doctor  and  his  beloved,  quietly  strolling  by  wood-sides  and 
along  the  banks  of  the  green  meadoAvs,  listening  intently  to  the 
warbling  of  the  tender  birds  they  loved  so  much;  Avliile  young 
Longtail  Marten  and  his  bride,  fonder  of  more  boisterous  excite- 
ment, deA'oted  themselves  to  the  pleasures  of  the  chase,  scouring 
rapidly  over  hill  and  dale  Avhenever  they  heard  the  huntsman’s 
loud  horn,  or  the  hounds’  deeper  notes ; and  never  so  happy  as 
when,  after  the  sports  of  the  day  were  done,  they  finished  up  Avith 
a ball,  and  danced  joyously  till  the  next  day’s  dawn. 


JACK  HAKE  AND  GRACE  MARTEN  LEADING  OFF  THE  BALI. 


F 


TIIE  WEASELS  OF  HOLM-WOOD. 


39 


As  for  the  good  folks  at  Holm-wood,  as  soon  as  Mrs.  Hare 
discovered  that  her  daughter  had  run  away,  she  sent  for  her 
eldest  son,  Jack  Hare,  who  lived  in  a farm  close  by,  and  asked 
him  to  pursue  his  sister,  and  bring  her  back ; but  Jack  said  she 
was  quite  old  enough  to  know  her  own  mind,  and  that  he  would 
have  nothing  to  do  with  it.  When,  however,  the  old  lady  learned 
that  her  daughter  was  married  to  the  rich  young  Marten,  and  not 
to  the  poor  physician,  then  she  was  greatly  rejoiced,  though  she 
confessed  she  could  not  make  out  why  her  dear  child  Pussy  should 
run  away  with  the  doctor  and  then  marry  the  schoolmaster ; but 
she  supposed  it  was  all  right. 

As  for  Jack,  when  he  heard  that  old  Mr.  Marten  had  died, 
leaving  great  riches  behind  him,  he,  to  follow  the  fashion,  fell  in 
love  with  Grace,  the  only  daughter  of  the  deceased,  and  only 
sister  ol  Longtail.  Miss  Grace  listened  favourably  to  Jack’s 
suit — for  she  was  very  lonely  now  her  father  was  dead,  and  her 
brother  away ; and  as  there  was  no  papa  to  consult  in  their  case, 
they  got  married  quietly  at  homo,  and  asked  all  their  neighbours 
to  a ball,  when  Jack  Hare  and  Grace  Marten  (that  was)  led  off 
the  polka  in  grand  style,  greatly  to  the  admiration  of  all  the 
young  folks  in  the  island. 


THE  WONDERFUL  IIARE-HUNT. 


Merrily  sounded  the  cock’s  shrill  horn,  and  brightly  shone  the 
early  morning  sun,  when  a party  of  young  sportsmen  set  out  to 
the  field,  armed  with  their  guns  and  game-bags.  Pour  beaters 
from  the  neighbouring  village  attended  them,  each  with  a long 
stick  to  rout  the  hares  and  rabbits  from  their  hiding-places.  Gaily 
went  they  forth,  these  merry  sportsmen  and  their  helpers ; light 
was  their  step  across  the  green  meadows  and  up  the  sandy  hill- 
sides ; loud  was  their  laughter  when  one  of  them,  trying  to  jump 
through  a broken  hedge,  fell  into  the  neighbouring  ditch ; great 
was  their  mirth  when  another’s  gun  went  off  and  lamed  a squirrel 
in  an  adjoining  tree;  and  joyous  was  the  shout  with  which  they 
scared  a frightened  rabbit  from  its  morning  meal. 

At  last  the  sportsmen  came  to  the  side  of  a wood,  and  one  of 
the  beaters  reported  that  just  round  the  corner  of  the  palings  he 
could  see  nearly  a dozen  hares  feeding  together.  A council  of  war 
was  summoned ; each  sportsman  looked  to  the  priming  of  his  gun, 


THE  WONDERFUL  IIARE-IIUNT. 


41 


and  trod  with  a more  cautious  step;  each  beater  bent  his  head 
nearly  to  the  ground,  and  crept  along  the  grass.  A plan  of  attack 
was  formed ; the  beaters  stole  within  the  wood  to  stop  the  hares 
that  way , while  the  sportsmen  suddenly  appearing  on  the  other 
side,  caused  the  poor  hares,  surrounded  as  they  were,  to  run  into 
the  very  jaws  of  destruction.  They  that  leaped  towards  the  wood 
received  blows  on  then-  heads  from  the  beaters;  they  that  ran 
down  the  hill  met  Ponto  the  dog,  who  pounced  on  them  open- 
mouthed ; and  they  that  ran  upwards  were  soon  sent  downwards 
again,  toppling  head  over  heels,  killed  by  the  fire  of  the  enemy. 
Xot  a hare  escaped.  The  gun-bearers  took  deadly  aim,  and  Ponto 
and  the  beaters  prevented  their  flight. 

While  the  young  sportsmen  and  their  helpers  were  yet  picking 
up  the  hares  and  rejoicing  at  then'  good  fortune,  the  sky  became 
quickly  overcast,  black  clouds  gathered,  and  a hurricane  of  wind 
swept  through  the  wood,  tearing  off  large  branches  of  the  trees. 
The  sportsmen  stood  amazed  at  the  suddenness  of  the  storm,  but 
presently  then  amazement  was  changed  to  fear ; for,  riding  in  a 
bright  chariot  drawn  by  six  snow-white  swans,— blown  swiftly 
by  the  wind, — there  appeared  a lady  of  fairy-like  beauty.  At 
her  command  the  beautiful  birds  stayed  their  flight,  and  the 
chariot  rested  on  the  green  turf  close  by  the  sportsmen. 


“loung  men,”  said  the  lady  in  a melodious  but  mournful 


12 


THE  WONDERFUL  HARE-HUNT. 


voice,  as  she  pointed  to  the  dead  hares,  “ you  have  murdered 
these  poor  innocents  for  your  sport  : know,  I am  the  fairy  called 
Kindness,  and  these  hares  were  all  of  them  my  friends.  In 
punishment  for  your  cruelty,  you  sportsmen  shall  he  changed 
into  Martens,  and  you  attendants  into  Weasels.  In  such  shapes 
you  may  pursue  your  cruel  sports ; you  are  not  worthy  of  the 
forms  of  men.”  And,  waving  her  wand,  the  swans  bore  her  in- 
stantly out  of  sight. 

They  who  live  in  this  country  say  that  every  old  Michaelmas- 
day,  five  martens  and  four  weasels,  with  long  sticks,  may  still 
he  seen  hunting  hares  near  this  wood ; sometimes  a dog’s  bark 
is  heard  and  a shrill  whistle,  but  if  any  of  mankind  appear  in 
their  sight,  the  creatures  run  quickly  away,  and  hide  themselves 
in  the  wood. 


— 


■HIE  DUEL  OF  TIIE  DORMICE 


THE  DUEL  OF  THE  DORMICE. 


Out  in  the  fields,  in  the  hollow  of  an  old  willow-tree,  two  Dormice 
slept  the  whole  winter  long.  They  neither  ate  nor  drank,  nor  did 
they  so  much  as  raise  their  heads  from  their  pillows  during  all 
this  dreary  time.  A ray  of  sunshine,  as  the  sun  passed  right  over 
their  tree,  would  perhaps  make  one  of  them  stretch  out  his  paws ; 
but  as  soon  as  the  gleam  had  passed  and  left  them,  he  would  curl 
himself  up  all  the  closer  in  his  nest,  and  go  faster  asleep  than  ever. 

But  the  sun  came  one  bright  spring  morning,  and  shone  on  the 
Dormice  so  warmly,  that  they  turned  round  in  their  bed,  stretched 
their  paws,  rubbed  their  eyes,  yawned,  and  at  last  woke  quite  up. 

“ It  is  summer-time  at  last,”  said  the  elder  Dormouse,  as  he 
took  a nut  from  his  store  of  provisions  and  cracked  it,  “ and  we 
may  now  leave  our  winter’s  bed.”  “ I don’t  believe  it,”  replied 
the  younger.  “ The  wind  blows  cold;  I shall  go  to  sleep  again.” 

“All,  that’s  like  your  laziness,”  rejoined  the  elder;  “ sleep  on; 
I’m  off  to  the  wood.”  And  so  saying,  he  scrambled  up  the  tree,  then 
down  the  outside  of  the  trunk,  and  so  into  the  w fide  meadows. 

The  younger  Dormouse  went  to  sleep.  lie  slept  for  an  hour, 
then  he  woke  again,  and  finding  his  companion  gone,  he  turned 
to  the  food  and  ate  a hearty  meal ; then  he  slept  again,  hut  the 
sun  had  made  his  bed  too  hot : so  he  presently  woke  and  made 
another  attack  on  the  provisions ; and  this  he  did  the  w hole  day 
long,  until,  at  evening  time,  all  the  corn  and  nuts  which  the  tw'o 
Dormice  had  so  diligently  collected  in  the  autumn,  were  gone. 
Soon  the  moon  rose,  and  the  young  one  curled  himself  for  sleep. 

G 


46 


THE  DUEL  OF  THE  DORMICE. 


In  the  meantime  the  elder  had  wandered  about  the  fields ; hut 
the  earth  was  wet,  and  no  corn  or  fruit  was  ripe,  so  at  night  he 
returned  to  his  nest  wet  and  hungry.  He  ran  straight  to  the 
store-room  for  food;  hut  what  was  his  surprise  when  he  found 
nothing  left  hut  a few  harley-corns ! His  cries  woke  his  com- 
panion, from  whom  he  demanded  the  provisions ; the  younger  one 
muttered  that  he  knew  nothing  about  them,  and  pretended  to 
sleep;  hut  the  unfortunate  adventurer,  driven  to  desperation  by 
hunger,  flew  into  a rage  and  struck  the  other  with  his  claws : a fight 
ensued,  and  the  whole  neighbourhood  was  alarmed  at  the  outcry. 

Two  Moles  who  were  passing  by  the  foot  of  the  tree,  hearing 
this  dreadful  noise,  called  out  to  the  combatants  to  stop.  The 
Dormice  fearing  it  might  he  some  of  the  Weasels  who  spoke,  were 
silent  instantly,  and  then  the  Moles  bade  them  come  out. 

So  the  Dormice  came  down  to  the  Moles ; and  when  the  Moles 
found  that  the  silly  creatures  were  bent  on  their  quarrel,  they  in- 
sisted that  the  combat  should  he  with  swords.  Moreover,  they  offered 
to  play  the  part  of  seconds,  and  to  dig  a grave  for  the  vanquished. 

To  all  this  the  Dormice  consented;  the  Moles  found  an  old 
trap,  and  from  the  iron  parts  they  fashioned  rude  swords.  These 
they  measured,  and  gave  to  the  combatants ; and  then,  until  their 
long  spades  in  their  hands,  they  awaited  the  issue  of  the  affray. 
It  was  fierce  and  desperate.  The  hungry  one  fought  with  fury, 
hut  he  who  had  had  a good  feast  was  the  stronger  and  the  calmer : 
at  last  the  younger  one  drove  his  sword  right  through  the  body  of 
the  elder ; hut  the  elder  at  the  same  moment  clove  his  opponent’s 
head  asunder,  and  so  they  fell  dead  together.  And  the  Moles  dug 
a deep  hole,  and  buried  both  the  Dormice  in  the  same  grave. 


kv\.\ 


THE  KITTENS  AT  TEA— MISS  PAULINA  SINGING. 


THE  SIX  KITTENS, 


Once  upon  a time  a cat  had  six  kittens,  whom  she  brought  up  in 
the  most  genteel  manner.  No  one  could  say  that  their  education 
was  in  any  wise  neglected,  for  besides  being  taught  the  ordinary 
duties  of  life  by  their  mother,  such  as  mouse-hunting,  fish-stealing, 
and  bird-catching,  they  received  instructions  in  the  arts  of  singing, 
and  playing  the  harp  and  the  piano,  and  were  taught  to  waltz 
and  dance  the  polka  with  every  imaginable  grace.  Now  when  the 
kittens  grew  to  he  of  age,  it  was  their  custom  of  an  afternoon  to 
spend  some  hours  at  tea  and  intellectual  talk.  The  youngest 
always  performed  the  duties  of  servant,  while  one  of  the  elder  ones 
wrould  entertain  the  rest  by  playing  airs  from  the  latest  opera,  or 
singing  a love-song,  the  music  of  which  she  had  herself  composed. 

It  is  true  some  animals  who  dwelt  close  by  complained  of  this 
music,  and  called  it  by  all  kinds  of  ill  names ; but  that  is  ever  the 
jealous  way  of  the  wrorld : and  the  kittens  frequently  performed 
serenades  in  their  garden  by  moonlight,  when  all  who  passed  by 
would  stay  to  listen  to  their  melody. 

But  to  our  tale.  It  happened  that,  one  fine  summer’s  after- 
noon, when  the  kittens  were  all  enjoying  themselves  at  tea ; when 
Paulina,  the  eldest,  was  warbling  some  of  her  most  delightful 
songs,  and  Violet,  the  second,  was  entertaining  the  rest,  in  an 
under  tone,  with  a little  bit  of  scandal  about  a neighbouring 


50 


THE  SIX  KITTENS. 


Tabby,  whom  slic  had  seen  coming  home  in  a sad  condition  about 
five  o’clock  in  the  morning,  when  she,  Miss  Violet,  was  taking 
her  early  walk ; — just  at  this  moment  there  sounded  a tap  at  the 
door,  and  presently  in  came  Diana,  the  youngest  sister,  bearing 
in  her  hand  more  cakes  for  tea,  and  in  the  plate  with  them  a 
note  addressed  to  Miss  Rose,  — the  next  to  Violet  in  age,  and  by 
most  people  considered  the  beauty  of  the  family.  Violet  took 
the  letter  eagerly  from  Diana ; but  when  she  saw  the  address,  she 
remarked  that  it  was  evidently  a gentleman’s  handwriting,  and 
tossing  her  head  somewhat  disdainfully,  she  handed  it  to  Miss 
Rose,  who  blushed  very  much,  and  retired  with  it  to  the  sofa. 
Rose  opened  the  note  with  trembling  paws,  and  a sweet  smile 
played  on  her  features  as  she  read  its  contents;  then,  carefully 
folding  it  up,  she  observed  to  her  sisters  that  it  was  merely  an 
invitation  for  a walk,  and  springing  on  to  the  back  of  the  sofa, 
she  jumped  through  the  open  window,  and  retired  to  her  own 
summer-house  up  a line  sycamore-tree  in  the  garden. 

This  incident,  as  may  be  imagined,  caused  a great  sensation 
among  the  sisters ; and  all  wondered  very  much  who  could  have 
heen  the  writer  of  the  note  that  had  so  evidently  pleased  Miss 
Rose.  One  hoped  it  was  not  from  that  scapegrace  Tom  who  lived 
at  the  Farm-yard ; another  feared  it  might  come  from  young 
Marten  Sable  of  the  Forest ; and  Violet  demanded  of  her  youngest 
sister  what  sort  of  person  it  was  who  had  brought  the  note. 
Diana  did  not  know,  but  believed  it  was  a relation  of  old 
Mr.  Weasel,  who  belonged  to  the  same  farm  that  Tom  did.  This 
set  them  all  guessing  again,  for  it  was  well  known  that  Tom  and 
Old  Weasel  did  not  speak  to  each  other : and  in  the  end  they 
were  all  just  as  wise  as  in  the  beginning. 


\ 


ENSIGN  SQUEAKER  AND  MISS  ROSE, 


THE  SIX  KITTENS.  53 

About  seven  o’clock  the  same  evening  an  attentive  observer 
might  have  noticed  Miss  Rose  emerging  from  her  door  very 
quietly,  and  making  the  best  of  her  way  to  the  green  fields  that 
bordered  the  sea-coast  close  by.  An  ill-natured  person  would 
have  said  that  Miss  Rose  had  taken  especial  pains  with  her  toilet, 
and  that  she  carried  her  parasol  with  a lack-a-daisical  air ; but 
Rose  herself,  at  her  last  peep  in  the  glass,  had  thought  that  she 
looked  very  nicely  indeed ; and  so  it  would  appear  thought  Ensign 
Squeaker  (of  the  Household  Pigade),  who,  with  his  regimental 
sword  by  his  side,  and  his  pocket  telescope  in  his  hand,  sauntered 
along  the  pathway,  merely  to  enjoy  the  beauty  of  the  evening,  and 
inhale  the  fresh  breezes  from  the  ocean.  How  it  happened  that 
Young  Squeaker  and  Miss  Rose  met  at  the  corner  of  the  cliff,  jus+ 
as  the  village  clock  struck  the  half-past  seven,  no  one  knows ; 
certain  only  it  is  that  they  did  meet ; and  that  after  the  interchange 
of  the  usual  compliments,  Miss  Rose  accepted  Mr.  Squeaker’s 
proffered  arm,  and  that  the  pair  wandered  about  by  the  sea-shore 
until  the  moon  rose ; and  Miss  Rose,  in  great  trepidation  at  find- 
ing it  so  late,  desired  her  companion  to  escort  her  home.  Nor  is 
it  known  what  Mr.  Squeaker  said  when  he  bade  a fond  adieu  to 
his  dear  Rose,  nor  for  how  long  after  Rose  sat  in  her  arbour  in 
the  garden  and  watched  the  bats  flitting  across  the  moon. 

It  was  noticed  by  the  sisters  that  Rose  was  very  quiet  all  the 
next  day,  and  that  at  times  a tear  stood  in  the  corner  of  her  eye, 
which  she  would  wipe  away,  sighing.  Many  were  the  sly  allu- 
sions to  the  note  of  the  previous  afternoon  and  the  long  evening 
walk ; and  no  one  tormented  poor  Rose  with  her  insinuations 
more  than  Paulina,  who  was  for  some  cause  in  a most  unusual 
flow  of  spirits.  After  tea,  Rose  took  down  her  treasured  volume, 

H 


51 


THE  SIX  KITTEN S. 


“ Pussicat’s  Poems,”  and  retiring  to  tlic  garden,  read  tlie  tcndcrest 
parts.  Violet,  overcome  with  the  fatigue  of  a recent  mouse-hunt, 
went  to  sleep  on  the  sofa;  the  younger  ones  husied  themselves 
with  then*  crochet  and  net-work;  and  Miss  Paulina,  saying  she 
was  going  to  call  on  a neighbour,  with  her  host  lace-bordered 
handkerchief  in  her  hand,  sallied  forth  and  took  her  way  towards 
the  forest.  Now  it  so  happened  that  young  Marten  Sable  was 
leaning  against  a tree,  tapping  liis  heel  with  his  cane,  and  medi- 
tating very  profoundly  at  the  entrance  of  the  very  walk  towards 
which  Paulina  bent  her  steps.  lie  started  at  her  approach,  and 
with  a sad  hut  eager  countenance  ran  to  meet  her. 

“ What  has  happened,  Marten,”  cried  Paulina,  “ that  you  look 
so  miserable?  tell  me  directly,  I implore  you;”  and  placing  her 
hand  on  his  arm,  she  looked  piteously  in  his  face.  Marten  hung 
his  head  and  seemed  overcome  with  grief ; at  last  he  said  in  a low 
husky  voice,  “ We  must  part,  Paulina ; hut  it  vail  be  only  for  a 
time ; my  father  has  ordered  me  to  set  out  for  Russia  to  visit  his 
forests  there,  and,  my  darling  Paulina, — how  can  I hear  the 
thought ! — it  will  he  six  months  before  I see  you  again.”  Paulina 
covered  her  face  with  her  paws  and  wept  bitterly ; at  last  rousing 
herself,  she  said,  “Let  us  not,  Marten,  spend  our  last  evening  thus ; 
come,  six  months  will  soon  pass,  and  then — ” Here  Paulina’s  voice 
dropped,  and  Marten  threw  his  arms  round  her  waist  and  kissed 
away  the  tears. 

We  know  of  every  word  that  Marten  said  to  Paulina,  and  of 
Paulina’s  every  reply,  for  we  had  it  all  from  a young  hedgehog 
whose  curiosity  led  her  to  listen  to  their  talk ; hut  we  think  that 
the  hedgehog  did  wrong  to  listen,  and  so,  perhaps,  did  we  to  listen 


YOUNG  makten  bidding  FAKEWELL  TO  MISS  PAULINA 


TIIE  SIX  KITTENS. 


57 


to  the  hedgehog,  and  so  we  will  not  tell  their  secrets ; but  this  we 
may  mention,  that  they  wandered  up  and  down  the  pathways  of 
the  forest,  now  and  then  pouncing  on  a stray  field-mouse  or  a 
poor  sleeping  bird,  until  the  moon  shone  brightly  through  the 
trees.  And  we  know  that  they  parted  at  length  by  the  sign-post 
at  the  edge  of  the  wood,  when  Paulina  shed  many  tears,  and 
Marten,  laying  his  paw  upon  his  heart,  vowed  ever  to  he  constant 
to  her,  and  in  all  his  travels  and  all  his  adventures  to  remember 
his  sweet  Pussy.  To  have  seen  how  the  poor  kitten  wept  when 
she  went  to  bed  that  night,  would  have  grieved  a hard-hearted 
terrier ; and  to  have  seen  how  melancholy  she  looked  as  she  wan- 
dered about  for  three  weeks  afterwards,  would  have  drawn  pity 
from  a ferocious  bull-dog. 

One  morning,  about  seven  months  after  the  events  we  have 
narrated,  there  was  a great  commotion  in  the  house  where  the 
kittens  dwelt ; the  hells  rang,  the  flags  were  hoisted,  and  little 
cannon  fired.  In  the  papers  of  the  next  morning  we  read  that 
Ensign  Stpieaker  of  the  Household  Pigade  carried  off  the  beautiful 
Miss  Rose,  and  young  Marten  Sable  of  the  Eorest  his  fair  prize 
Miss  Paulina,  both  on  the  same  day. 

May  they  all  enjoy  much  felicity,  and  may  the  brides  catch 
plenty  of  mice  ! 


tiie  fbogs  who  would  a-wooinc  go. 


tiie 


FROGS  WHO  WOULD  A- WOOING  GO. 


Two  frogs,  who  were  cousins,  were  hopping  about  together  one 
warm  summer’s  evening  by  the  side  of  a rivulet,  when  they  began 
talking — -just  as  the  men  will  talk — about  a young  lady-frog  who 
lived  in  a neighbouring  marsh.  One  extolled  the  brightness  of 
her  eyes,  the  other  praised  the  beauty  of  her  complexion,  and 
somehow  the  two  frogs  found  out  that  they  had  both  fallen  in  love 
with  the  same  young  lady-froggy.  When  they  had  made  this 
discovery  they  parted  rather  abruptly,  and  muttered  something, 
the  meaning  of  which  was  not  very  clear. 

“ Bless  me,”  said  Mr.  Croaker,  the  elder  and  richer  of  the  two, 
“ I must  not  let  that  young  scapegrace  Jumper  get  the  better  of 
me.  A pretty  joke  indeed  that  he  should  think  of  the  beautiful  Miss 
Leapfrog,  he  who  is  not  worth  a rap,  and  is  as  ugly  as  a toad.” 

“Who  would  have  thought,”  said  Jumper  to  himself,  “that 
that  old  curmudgeon  Croaker  was  going  to  make  love  to  that  dear 
young  Miss  Leapfrog?  Wc  null  soon  see  whom  she  likes  best.” 

The  next  morning  Croaker  dressed  himself  with  unusual  neat- 
ness ; and  that  lie  might  appear  to  better  advantage,  lie  went  to  a 
barber-frog  who  lived  in  a neighbouring  arbour,  and  asked  to  be 
shaved  and  to  have  his  wag  dressed.  The  barber  had  just  spread 


GO 


THE  FROGS  WHO  WOULD  A-WOOING  GO. 


liis  white  cloth,  had  lathered  his  customer’s  chin,  and  was  flourish- 
ing a razor  in  his  face,  when  what  should  catch  Croaker’s  eye 
through  the  open  doorway  but  the  figure  of  his  cousin  Jumper, 
smartly  dressed,  with  his  cane  under  his  arm,  and  a parasol  over 
his  head,  to  keep  the  sun  off  his  delicate  complexion,  walking 
hastily  along  the  path  that  led  to  Miss  Leapfrog’s  residence. 

To  jump  from  his  chair  was  Croaker’s  first  impulse,  and,  sad 
to  say,  it  was  his  last ; for  he  fell  with  his  throat  upon  the  edge 
of  the  barber’s  razor,  and  in  two  minutes  breathed  his  last. 

Deep  was  Miss  Leapfrog’s  grief,  and  great  was  Mr.  Jumper’s 
joy,  when  the  news  of  this  sad  misfortune  reached  their  ears.  In 
the  first  burst,  of  her  anguish  the  young  lady  accused  the  barber 
of  haying  murdered  her  dear  Croaker ; but  Mr.  J umper  hopped 
about  for  joy,  and  vowed  that  the  barber  was  the  best  frog 
alive.  And  well  he  might  be  joyful,  for  as  Croaker  had  died  with- 
out a will,  Jumper  inherited  all  his  estates ; and  when,  after  a 
week’s  mourning,  the  young  lady’s  grief  had  somewhat  subsided, 
the  happy  Mr.  J umper  carried  off  the  beautiful  Miss  Leapfrog. 

But  alas,  howT  uncertain  is  happiness  either  to  man  or  frogs ! 
Turn  days  afterwards,  as  Jumper  w as  crossing  a brook,  a lily-white 
duck,  vrho  had  been  concealed  by  the  rushes,  flew7  at  him  with  open 
beak  and  gobbled  him  up. 

And  the  poor  bride  was  left  to  mourn  in  silent  solitude. 


TIIE  STORY  OF  REYNARD 


THE  FOX. 


i 


- 


THE  STORY 

OF 


REYNARD  THE  FOX. 


About  the  feast  of  Whitsuntide,  when  the  woods  were  in  their 
lustyliood  and  gallantry,  when  every  tree  was  clothed  in  the  green 
and  white  livery  of  glorious  leaves  and  sweet-smelling  blossoms, 
when  the  earth  was  covered  with  her  fairest  mantle  of  flowers, 
and  the  sweet  birds  entertained  the  groves  with  the  delight  of 
then*  harmonious  songs,  the  Lion,  the  ltoyal  King  of  Beasts,  made 
solemn  proclamation  that  all  quadrupeds  whatsoever  should  attend 
his  court,  and  celebrate  this  great  festival. 

Now  when  the  king  had  assembled  all  his  subjects  together, 
there  was  no  one  absent  save  Bcynard  the  Pox,  against  whom 
many  grievous  accusations  were  laid.  Pirst  came  Isegrim  the 
Wolf,  with  all  his  family  and  kindred,  who,  standing  before  the 
King,  complained  loudly  how  that  Reynard  had  ill-treated  his 
wife  and  children.  Then  there  came  a little  hound  named  Curtise, 
who  accused  the  Pox  of  having  stolen  his  pudding  in  the  extreme 
cold  winter-time,  when  he  was  nigh  dying  of  starvation.  But 
scarcely  had  the  hound  finished  his  tale,  when,  with  a fiery 
countenance,  in  sprang  Tibcrt  the  Cat,  and  accused  Curtise  of 
having  stolen  this  pudding  from  himself,  and  declared  that  Itey- 
nard  had  righteously  taken  it  away. 


i 


64 


THE  STORY  OF  REYNARD  THE  FOX. 


% 

Then  rose  the  Panther:  “Do  you  imagine,  Tibert,”  quoth  he, 
“ that  Reynard  ought  not  to  be  complained  of  ? The  whole  world 
knows  that  he  is  a murderer,  a vagabond,  and  a thief.” 

Then  quoth  Grimbard  the  Badger,  Reynard’s  nephew : “ It  is 
a common  proverb,  Malice  never  spake  ivell : what  can  you  say 
against  my  kinsman  the  fox  ? All  these  complaints  seem  to  me 
to  be  either  absurd  or  false.  Mine  uncle  is  a gentleman,  and 
cannot  endure  falsehood.  I affirm  that  he  liveth  as  a recluse; 
he  chastiseth  his  body,  and  weareth  a shirt  of  liair-clotli.  It  is 
above  a year  since  he  hath  eaten  any  flesh;  he  hath  forsaken 
his  castle  Malepardus,  and  abandoned  all  his  wealth;  he  lives 
only  upon  alms  and  good  men’s  charities,  doing  infinite  penance 
for  his  sins ; so  that  lie  has  become  pale  and  lean  with  praying 
and  fasting.” 

While  Grimbard  was  still  speaking,  there  came  down  the  hill 
Chanticleer  the  Cock,  and  with  him  two  hens,  who  brought  with 
them  on  a bier  their  dead  sister  Copple,  who  had  just  been 
murdered  by  Reynard.  Chanticleer  smote  piteously  his  feathers, 
and,  kneeling  before  the  King,  spake  in  this  manner : 

“ Most  merciful  and  my  great  Lord  the  King,  vouchsafe,  I 
beseech  you,  to  hear  our  complaint,  and  redress  the  injuries  which 
Reynard  the  Pox  has  done  to  me  and  my  children.  Not  longer 
ago  than  last  April,  when  the  weather  was  fair,  and  I was  in 
the  height  of  my  pride  and  glory,  because  of  my  eight  valiant 
sons  and  seven  fair  daughters,  who  were  strong  and  fat,  and  who 
walked  in  safety  in  a yard  well-fenced  round,  wherein  also  were 
several  large  dogs  for  their  protection,  Iteynard,  that  false  and 
dissembling  traitor,  came  to  me  in  the  likeness  of  a hermit,  and 
brought  me  a letter  to  read,  scaled  with  your  Majesty’s  seal, 
in  which  I found  written,  that  your  Highness  had  made  peace 


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s 


REYNARD  IN  TIIE  LIKENESS  OF  A HERMIT. 


THE  STORY  OF  REYNARD  TIIE  FOX. 


G7 


throughout  all  your  realm,  and  that  no  manner  of  beast  or  fowl 
should  do  injury  one  to  another ; affirming  unto  me,  that,  for  his 
own  part,  lie  was  become  a monk,  vowing  to  perform  a daily 
penance  for  his  sins ; shewing  unto  me  his  heads,  his  books,  and 
the  hair  shirt  next  to  his  skin ; saying,  in  humble  wise,  unto  me, 
‘ Sir  Chanticleer,  never  henceforth  be  afraid  of  me,  for  I have 
vowed  never  more  to  eat  flesh.  I am  now  waxed  old,  and  would 
only  remember  my  soul ; therefore  I take  my  leave,  for  I have 
yet  my  noon  and  my  evensong  to  say.’  Which  spake,  lie  departed, 
saying  his  Credo  as  he  went,  and  laid  him  down  under  a haw- 
thorn. At  this  I was  exceeding  glad,  that  I took  no  heed,  but 
went  and  clucked  my  children  together,  and  walked  without  the 
wall,  which  I shall  ever  rue ; for  false  Reynard,  lying  under  a 
bush,  came  creeping  betwixt  us  and  the  gate,  and  suddenly  sur- 
prised one  of  my  children,  which  he  trussed  up  and  bore  away, 
to  my  great  sorrow ; for,  having  tasted  the  sweetness  of  our  flesh, 
neither  hunter  nor  hound  can  protect  or  keep  him  from  us. 
Night  and  day  he  waits  upon  us,  with  that  greediness,  that  of 
fifteen  of  my  children,  he  hath  left  me  but  four  unslaughtered ; 
and  yesterday,  Copple,  my  daughter,  wdiicli  here  lieth  dead  on 
this  bier,  was,  after  her  murder,  rescued  from  him.  This  is  my 
complaint,  and  this  I leave  to  your  Ilighness’s  mercy  to  take  pity 
on  me,  and  the  loss  of  my  fair  children.” 

Then  spake  the  king : “ Sir  Grimbard,  hear  you  this  of  your 
uncle  the  recluse  ? he  hath  fasted  and  prayed  well : believe  me, 
if  I live  a year,  he  shall  dearly  abide  it.  As  for  you,  Chanticleer, 
your  complaint  is  heard,  and  shall  be  cured ; to  your  daughter 
that  is  dead  we  will  give  the  right  of  burial,  and  with  solemn 
dirges  bring  her  to  the  earth,  with  -worship.” 

After  this  the  King  sent  for  his  lords  and  wisest  counsellors, 


G8 


THE  STORY  OF  REYNARD  THE  FOX. 


to  consult  how  tills  foul  murder  of  Reynard’s  might  be  punished. 
And  in  the  end,  it  was  concluded  that  Reynard  should  he  sent  for, 
and  without  all  excuse,  he  should  he  commanded  to  appear  before 
the  King,  to  answer  whatever  trespasses  should  be  objected  against 
him ; and  that  this  message  should  be  delivered  by  Bruin  the  Bear. 

To  all  this  the  King  gave  consent,  and  calling  the  bear  before 
him,  he  said,  “ Sir  Bruin,  it  is  our  pleasure  that  you  deliver  tliis 
message;  yet  in  the  delivery  thereof  have  great  regard  to  yourself; 
for  Reynard  is  full  of  policy,  and  knowetli  how  to  dissemble, 
flatter,  and  betray;  he  hath  a world  of  snares  to  entangle  you 
withal,  and  without  great  exercise  of  j udgment,  will  make  a scorn 
and  mock  of  the  best  wisdom  breathing.” 

“ My  Lord,”  answered  Sir  Bruin,  “ let  me  alone  with  Rey- 
nard ; I am  not  such  a truant  in  discretion  to  become  a mock  to 
his  knavery;”  and  thus,  full  of  jollity,  the  bear  departed. 

The  next  morning  Bruin  set  out  in  quest  of  the  'fox ; and  after 
passing  through  a dark  forest  and  over  a high  mountain,  he  came 
to  Malepardus,  Reynard’s  cliiefest  and  most  ancient  castle.  Rey- 
nard was  at  home,  and  pretended  to  be  ill  with  eating  too  much 
honey.  When  the  bear  heard  this,  he  was  extremely  desirous 
of  knowing  where  such  excellent  food  could  be  obtained ; and 
Reynard  promised  to  take  him  to  a garden  where  he  should  find 
more  honey-combs  than  ten  bears  could  eat  at  a meal.  But  the 
treacherous  rascal  took  him  to  a carpenter’s  yard,  where  lay  the 
trunk  of  a huge  oak-tree,  lialf-riven  asunder,  with  two  great 
wedges  in  it,  so  that  the  cleft  stood  a great  way  open.  “ Behold 
now,  dear  uncle,”  said  the  fox,  “ within  this  tree  is  so  much  honey 
that  it  is  unmeasurable.”  The  bear,  in  great  haste,  thrust  his 
nose  and  fore-paws  into  the  tree ; and  immediately  Reynard  pulled 
out  the  two  great  wedges,  and  caught  Brum  in  so  sharp  a trap, 


THE  STORY  OF  REYNARD  THE  FOX. 


69 


that  the  poor  beast  howled  with  pain.  This  noise  quickly  brought 
out  the  carpenter,  who,  perceiving  how  matters  stood,  alarmed 
the  whole  village,  who  came  and  belaboured  the  bear’s  sides  with 
sticks  and  hoes  and  pitchforks,  until,  mad  with  rage,  he  tore  his 
bleeding  face  and  paws  from  the  tree,  and  rushed  blindly  into  a 
river  that  ran  close  by,  knocking  into  the  water  with  him  many  of 
the  villagers,  and  among  them,  Dame  Julock,  the  parson’s  wife, 
for  whose  sake  every  one  bestirred  himself ; and  so  poor  Bruin  got 
safe  away.  After  some  delay,  the  hear  returned  to  the  court, 
where,  in  dismal  accents,  he  recounted  the  sad  trick  that  Reynard 
had  played  him. 

Then  said  the  King,  “ Now,  by  my  crown,  I will  take  such 
revenge  as  shall  make  that  traitor  tremble;”  and  sending  for  his 
counsellors,  they  decided  that  Reynard  should  be  again  summoned 
to  court,  and  that  Tibert  the  Cat  should  be  the  bearer  of  the  mes- 
sage. “ It  is  your  wisdom,  Sir  Tibert,  I employ,”  said  the  great 
King,  and  not  your  strength : many  prevail  with  art,  when  vio- 
lence returns  with  lost  labour.” 

So  Tibert  made  ready,  and  set  out  with  the  King’s  letter  to 
Malepardus,  where  he  found  the  fox  standing  before  his  castle- 
gates  ; to  whom  Tibert  said,  “ Health  to  my  fair  cousin  Reynard ; 
the  King,  by  me,  summons  you  to  the  court,  in  which,  if  you 
fail,  there  is  nothing  more  assured  unto  you  than  a cruel  and  a 
sudden  death.” 

The  fox  answered,  “ "Welcome,  dear  cousin  Tibert ; I obey  your 
command,  and  wish  my  Lord  the  King  infinite  days  of  happiness ; 
only  let  me  entreat  you  to  rest  with  me  to-night,  and  take  such 
cheer  as  my  simple  house  affordeth,  and  to-morrow,  as  early  as 
you  will,  we  will  go  towards  the  court,  for  I have  no  kinsman 
I trust  so  dearly  as  yourself.” 

K 


70 


THE  STORY  OF  REYNARD  THE  FOX. 


Tibert  replied,  “ You  speak  like  a noble  gentleman ; and  me- 
thinks  it  is  best  now  to  go  forward,  for  the  moon  shines  as  bright 
as  day.” 

“ Nay,  dear  cousin,”  said  the  fox,  “ let  us  take  the  day  before 
us,  so  may  we  encounter  with  our  friends ; the  night  is  full  of 
danger.” 

“Well,”  said  the  cat,  “ if  it  be  your  pleasure,  I am  content; 
what  shall  we  eat  ?” 

Reynard  said,  “Truly  my  store  is  small;  the  best  I have  is  a 
honey-comb,  pleasant  and  sweet;  what  think  you  of  it?” 

To  which  Tibert  replieth,  “ It  is  meat  I little  respect,  and  seldom 
eat ; I had  rather  have  one  mouse  than  all  the  honey  in  Europe.” 

“A  mouse!”  said  Reynard,  “why,  my  dear  cousin,  here 
dwelletli  a priest  hard  by,  who  hath  a barn  by  his  house  so  full 
of  mice,  that  I think  half  the  wagons  in  the  parish  are  not  able  to 
bear  them.” 

“ Oh,  dear  Reynard,”  quoth  the  cat,  “ do  but  lead  me  thither, 
and  make  me  your  servant  for  ever.” 

“ Why,”  said  the  fox,  “ love  you  mice  so  exceedingly  ?” 

“ Beyond  expression,”  quoth  the  cat. 

Then  away  they  went  with  all  speed  to  the  priest’s  barn,  which 
was  well  Availed  about  with  a mud  wall,  where,  but  the  night 
before,  the  fox  had  broken  in  and  stolen  an  exceeding  fat  hen,  at 
which  the  priest  was  so  angry,  that  he  had  set  a snare  before  the 
hole  to  catch  him  at  his  next  coming,  which  the  false  fox  knew 
of ; and  therefore  said  to  the  cat,  “ Sir  Tibert,  creep  in  at  this 
hole,  and  believe  it,  you  shall  not  tarry  a minute’s  space  but  you 
shall  have  more  mice  than  you  are  able  to  devour ; hark,  you  may 
hear  Iioav  they  peep.  When  you  have  eaten  your  fill,  come  again, 
and  I Avill  stay  and  await  for  you  here  at  this  hole,  that  to-morrow 


- — ■ 


THE  STORY  OF  REYNARD  TIIE  FOX. 


73 


we  may  go  together  to  the  court ; hut,  good  cousiu,  stay  not  too 
long,  for  I know  my  wife  will  hourly  expect  us.” 

Then  Tibert  sprang  quickly  in  at  the  hole,  hut  was  presently 
caught  fast  by  the  neck  in  the  snare,  which,  as  soon  as  the  cat 
felt,  he  quickly  leaped  back  again;  and  the  snare  running  close 
together,  he  was  half-strangled,  so  that  he  began  to  struggle  and 
cry  out  and  exclaim  most  piteously. 

Then  the  priest,  hearing  the  outcry,  alarmed  all  his  servants, 
crying  out,  “ The  Pox  is  taken !”  and  away  they  all  ran  to  where 
poor  Tibert  was  caught  in  the  snare,  and,  without  finding  out  their 
mistake,  they  beat  him  most  unmercifully,  and  cruelly  wounded 
one  of  his  eyes.  The  cat,  mad  with  pain,  suddenly  gnawed  the 
cord,  and  seizing  the  priest  by  the  legs,  hit  him  and  tore  him  in 
such  a way  that  he  fell  down  in  a swoon,  and  then,  as  every  one 
ran  to  help  Ids  master,  Tibert  leaped  out  of  the  hole,  and  limped 
as  fast  as  his  wounded  legs  would  carry  him  to  the  court,  where 
the  King  was  infinitely  angry  at  the  treatment  he  had  received. 

Then  Grimbard  the  Badger,  Beynard’s  nephew,  fearing  it  was 
likely  to  go  hard  with  his  uncle,  offered  to  go  to  Malepardus 
and  take  the  King’s  message  to  his  most  subtle  kinsman ; to 
which  his  Majesty  graciously  consented.  So  Grimbard  set  forth  ; 
and  when  he  came  to  Malepardus,  he  found  Beynard  with  Dame 
Ermelin  his  wife  sporting  with  their  children.  "When  Grimbard 
had  delivered  the  King’s  letter,  Beynard  found  that  it  would  be 
better  for  him  to  shew'  himself  at  court  at  once;  so  bidding  an 
affectionate  farewell  to  his  dear  wife  and  children,  he  immediately 
set  out  with  the  badger  to  go  with  him  before  the  King.  On  his 
way,  Beynard,  remembering  the  heavy  crimes  he  had  committed, 
and  fearing  that  his  end  was  at  hand,  desired  of  the  holy  Grim- 
bard, wrho  had  alwrays  led  a hermit’s  life,  that  he  w'ould  hear 


74 


THE  STORY  OF  REYNARD  TIIE  FOX. 


liim  confess,  and  set  him  a penance  for  his  sins.  Grimbard  hade 
him  proceed.  And  the  fox  confessed  how  shamefully  he  had  ill- 
used  the  hear,  and  the  cat,  and  the  wolf,  and  Chanticleer’s  chil- 
dren, and  many  other  ill-doings  during  his  life ; and  when  he  had 
finished,  he  knelt  before  Grimbard,  and  said,  “ Thus  have  I told 
you  my  wickedness ; now  order  my  penance,  as  shall  seem  fit  in 
your  discretion.” 

Grimbard  was  both  learned  and  wise ; and  therefore  brake  a 
rod  from  a tree,  and  said,  “ Uncle,  you  shall  three  times  strike 
your  body  with  this  rod,  and  then  lay  it  down  upon  the  ground, 
and  spring  three  times  over  it  without  bowing  your  legs  or  stum- 
bling ; tlien  shall  you  take  it  up  and  kiss  it  gently,  in  sign  of 
meekness  and  obedience  to  your  penance;  which  done,  you  are 
absolved  of  your  sins  committed  up  to  this  day,  for  I pronounce 
unto  you  clear  remission.” 

At  this  the  fox  was  exceeding  glad ; and  immediately  he  per- 
formed the  penance  to  Grimbard’ s satisfaction.  But  as  they  went 
journeying  on,  it  happened  that  they  passed  by  the  poultry-yard 
of  a convent ; and  as  one  young  cock  strayed  far  from  the  rest, 
Reynard  leaped  at  him,  and  caught  him  by  the  feathers,  but  the 
cock  escaped. 

“ Villain  that  you  are,”  said  Grimbard,  “ will  you,  for  a silly 
pullet,  fall  again  into  your  sins?” 

To  which  Reynard  answered,  “ Pardon  me,  dear  nephew',  I 
had  forgotten  myself ; but  I will  ask  forgiveness,  and  mine  eye 
shall  no  more  wander.” 

However,  Grimbard  noted  that  he  turned  many  times  to  look 
at  the  poultry.  But  soon  afterwards  they  arrived  at  the  court. 

As  soon  as  it  was  bruited  in  the  court  that  Reynard  the  Pox 
and  Grimbard  his  kinsman  were  arrived  there,  every  one,  from 


THE  STORY  OF  REYNARD  THE  FOX. 


75 


the  highest  to  the  lowest,  prepared  himself  to  complain  of  the 
fox ; at  which  Reynard’s  heart  quaked,  but  his  countenance  kept 
the  old  look,  and  he  went  as  proudly  as  ever  he  was  wont  with  his 
nephew  through  the  high  street,  and  came  as  gallantly  into  the 
court  as  if  he  had  been  the  King’s  son,  and  as  clear  from  trespass 
as  the  most  innocent  whosoever ; and  when  he  came  before  the 
chair  of  state  in  which  the  King  sat,  he  said,  “ Heaven  give  your 
Majesty  glory  and  renown  above  all  the  princes  of  the  earth.” 

Rut  the  King  cut  him  short  at  these  words,  and  said  : “ Peace, 
traitorous  Reynard ; think  you  I can  be  caught  with  the  music 
of  your  words  ? no,  it  hath  too  oft  deceived  me ; the  peace  which 
I commanded  and  swore  unto,  that  have  vou  broken.” 

Then  Beilin  the  Ram,  and  Oleway  his  Avife,  and  Bruin  the 
Bear,  and  Tibert  the  Cat,  and  Isegrim  the  Wolf,  and  Kyward  the 
Hare,  and  Bruel  the  Goose,  and  Baldwin  the  Ass,  and  Bortle  the 
Bull,  and  Hamel  the  Ox,  and  Chanticleer  the  Cock,  and  Partlett 
the  Hen,  and  many  others,  came  forward ; and  all  these  with  one 
entire  noise  cried  out  against  the  fox,  and  so  moved  the  King 
with  their  complaints,  that  the  fox  was  taken  and  arrested. 

Upon  this  arrest,  a parliament  was  called  ; and  notwithstanding 
that  he  answered  every  objection  severally,  and  with  great  art, 
Reynard  was  condemned,  and  judgment  was  given  that  lie  should 
be  hanged  till  his  body  was  dead ; at  which  sentence  the  fox  cast 
down  his  head,  for  all  his  jollity  was  lost,  and  no  flattery  nor  no 
words  now  prevailed. 

Then  Isegrim  on  the  one  side  and  Bruin  on  the  other  led  the 
poor  fox  to  the  gallows,  Tibert  running  before  with  the  halter. 
And  when  they  were  come  to  the  place  of  execution,  the  King 
and  the  Queen,  and  all  the  rest  of  the  nobility,  took  their  places 
to  see  the  fox  die. 


76 


THE  STOHY  OF  REYNARD  THE  FOX. 


When  all  tilings  were  prepared,  the  fox  said  : “ Now  my  heart 
is  heavy,  for  death  stands  in  all  his  horror  before  me,  and  I cannot 
escape.  My  dread  Lord  the  King,  and  you  my  sovereign  Lady  the 
Queen,  and  you  my  lords  that  stand  to  behold  me  die,  I beseech 
you  grant  me  this  charitable  boon,  that  I may  unlock  my  heart 
before  you,  and  clear  my  soul  of  her  burdens,  so  that  hereafter  no 
man  may  be  blamed  for  me ; which  done,  my  death  Anil  be  easy.” 
Every  creature  now  took  compassion  on  the  fox,  and  said  his 
request  was  small,  beseeching  the  King  to  grant  it,  which  Avas 
done ; and  then  the  fox  thus  spake : “ Help  me,  Heaven,  for  I sec 
no  man  here  whom  I liaA'e  not  offended ; yet  Avas  this  evil  no 
natural  inclination  in  me,  for  in  my  youth  I was  accounted  as 
virtuous  as  any  breathing.  This  know,  I haAre  played  with  the 
lambs  all  the  day  long,  and  taken  delight  in  their  pretty  bleating ; 
yet  at  last  in  my  play  I bit  one,  and  the  taste  of  its  blood  AA'as  so 
sweet  unto  me,  that  I approved  the  flesh ; and  both  were  so  good, 
that  since  I could  never  forbear  it.  This  liquorish  humour  drew 
me  into  the  woods  amongst  the  goats,  where  hearing  the  bleating 
of  the  little  kids,  I slew  one  of  them,  and  afterwards  two  more, 
which  slaughter  made  me  so  hardy,  that  then  I fell  to  murder 
hens,  geese,  and  other  poultry.  And  thus  my  crimes  increased 
by  cust  om,  and  fury  so  possessed  me,  that  all  ay  as  fish  which  came 
to  my  net.  After  this,  in  the  winter  season,  I met  with  Isegrim, 
Avhere,  as  he  lay  hid  under  a IioIIoav  tree,  he  unfolded  unto  me 
Iioav  he  Avas  my  uncle,  and  laid  the  pedigree  down  so  plain,  that 
from  that  day  forth  avc  became  fellows  and  companions ; Avhich 
knot  of  friendship  I may  ever  curse,  for  then  began  the  flood  of 
our  thefts  and  slaughters.  He  stole  the  great  things,  I the  small ; 
he  murdered  nobles,  I the  mean  subjects ; and  in  all  our  actions 
his  share  Avas  still  ever  the  greatest : Avlien  lie  got  a ram  or  a calf, 


THE  STORY  OF  REYNARD  THE  FOX. 


77 


liis  fury  would  hardly  afford  mo  the  horns  to  pick  on ; nay,  when 
he  had  an  ox  or  a cow,  after  himself,  his  wife,  and  his  seven  chil- 
dren were  served,  nothing  remained  to  me  but  the  bare  bones  to 
pick.  This  I speak  not  in  that  I wanted  (for  it  is  well  known 
I have  more  plate,  jewels,  and  coin  than  twenty  carts  are  able  to 
cany),  but  only  to  shew  his  ingratitude.” 

hen  the  King  heard  him  speak  of  this  infinite  treasure  and 
riches,  lus  heart  grew  inflamed  with  a desire  thereof;  and  he  said, 
“ Reynard,  where  is  that  treasure  you  speak  of?” 

. . The  fox  answered : “ My  Lord,  I shall  willingly  tell  you,  for 
it  is  true  the  wealth  was  stolen ; and  had  it  not  been  stolen  in  that 
manner  which  it  was,  it  had  cost  your  highness  your  life  (which 
IIea\  on,  I beseech,  keep  ever  in  protection).” 

YY  lien  the  Queen  heard  that  dangerous  speech,  she  started, 
and  said : “ What  dangers  are  these  you  speak  of,  Reynard  ? I 
do  command  you,  upon  your  soul’s  health,  to  unfold  these  doubtful 

speeches,  and  to  keep  nothing  concealed  which  concerns  the  life 
of  my  dread  Lord.” 

Then  the  fox  in  these  words  unfolded  to  the  King  and  Queen 
this  most  foul  treason:  “ Know,  then,  my  dread  sovereign  Lord 
ie  King,  that  my  father,  by  a strange  accident,  digging  in  the 
ground,  found  out  King  Ermerick’s  great  treasure,— a mass  of 
jewels  infinite  and  innumerable  ; of  which  being  possessed,  he 
grew  so  proud  and  haughty,  that  he  held  in  scorn  all  the  beasts 
of  the  wilderness,  which  before  had  been  his  kinsmen  and  com- 
panions. At  last  he  caused  Tibert  the  Cat  to  go  into  the  vast  forest 
of  Arden  to  Bruin  the  Bear,  and  to  tender  to  him  his  homage  and 
ealty ; and  to  say  that  if  it  would  please  him  to  be  king,  he  should 
come  into  Flanders,  where  he  would  shew  him  means  how  to  set 
the  crown  upon  his  head.  Bruin  was  glad  of  this  embassage  (for 

L 


78 


THE  STORY  OF  REYNARD  THE  FOX. 


lie  was  exceeding  ambitious,  and  liad  long  thirsted  for  sovereignty), 
and  thereupon  came  into  Flanders,  where  my  father  received  him 
nobly.  Then  presently  be  sent  for  the  wise  Grimbard,  my  nephew, 
and  for  Isegrim  the  Wolf,  and  for  Tibert  the  Cat ; then  these  five 
coming  between  Gaunt  and  the  village  called  Fife,  they  held  a 
solemn  council  for  the  space  of  a whole  night,  in  which,  by  the 
assistance  of  the  evil  one,  and  the  strong  confidence  of  mv  father’s 
riches,  it  was  there  concluded  that  your  Majesty  should  be  forth- 
with murdered ; which  to  effect,  they  took  a solemn  oath  in  this 
manner : the  bear,  my  father,  the  badger,  and  the  cat,  laying  their 
hands  on  Isegrim’ s crown,  swore,  first  to  make  Bruin  their  king, 
and  to  place  him  in  the  chair  of  estate  at  Aeon,  and  to  set  the 
imperial  diadem  on  his  head;  and  if  by  any  of  your  Majesty’s 
blood  and  alliance  they  should  be  gainsaid,  that  then  my  father 
with  his  treasure  should  hire  those  which  should  utterly  chase  and 
root  them  out  of  the  forest.  Now  after  this  determination  held 
and  finished,  it  happened  that  my  nephew  Grimbard  being  on  a 
time  high  flown  with  wine,  he  discovered  this  dread  plot  to  Dame 
Slopecade  his  wife,  commanding  her  upon  her  life  to  keep  secret 
the  same;  but  she,  forgetful  of  her  charge,  disclosed  it  in  con- 
fession to  my  wife,  as  they  went  a pilgrimage  over  an  heath,  with 
like  conjuration  of  secrecy.  But  she,  woman-like,  contained  it  no 
longer  than  till  she  met  with  me,  and  gave  me  a full  knowledge 
of  all  that  had  passed,  yet  so  as  by  all  means  I must  keep  it 
secret  too,  for  she  had  sworn  by  the  three  kings  of  Cologne  never 
to  disclose  it : and  w ithal  she  gave  me  such  assurance  by  cer- 
tain tokens,  that  I right  well  found  all  wras  true  which  she  had 
spoken ; insomuch  that  the  very  affright  thereof  made  my  hair 
stand  upright,  and  my  heart  become  like  lead,  cold  and  heavy  in 
mv  bosom. 


THE  STORY  OF  REYNARD  THE  FOX. 


73 


“ But  to  proceed  from  this  sorrow,  I began  to  meditate  how  I 
might  undo  my  father’s  false  and  wicked  conspiracies,  who  sought 
to  bring  a base  traitor  and  a slave  into  the  throne  imperial ; for 
I well  perceived,  as  long  as  he  held  the  treasure,  there  Avas  a pos- 
sibility of  deposing  your  Majesty.  And  this  troubled  my  thought 
exceedingly,  so  that  I laboured  Iioav  I might  find  out  where  my 
father’s  treasure  was  hid ; and  to  that  end  I watched  and  attended 
night  and  day  in  the  woods,  in  the  hushes,  and  in  the  open  fields ; 
nay  in  all  places  wheresoever  my  father  laid  his  eyes,  there  Avas  I 
ever  Avatching  and  attending.  Noav  it  happened  on  a time,  as  I 
was  laid  doAvn  flat  on  the  ground,  I saAV  my  father  come  running 
out  of  a hole,  and  as  soon  as  he  was  come  out,  he  gazed  round 
about  him,  to  see  if  any  discovered  him;  then  seeing  the  coast 
clear,  he  stopped  the  hole  with  sand,  and  made  it  so  even,  smooth, 
and  plain,  that  no  curious  eye  could  discern  a difference  betwixt 
it  and  the  other  earth ; and  where  the  print  of  his  foot  remained, 
that  with  his  tail  he  stroked  o\'cr,  and  witn  his  mouth  so  smoothed, 
that  no  man  might  perceive  it : and  indeed  that  and  many  other 
suhtilties  I learned  of  him  there  at  that  instant.  When  he  had 
thus  finished,  away  he  Avent  toA\rards  the  village  about  his  private 
affairs.  Then  went  I presently  toAvards  the  hole,  and  notwithstand- 
ing  all  his  suhtilty,  I quickly  found  it  out ; then  entered  I the  cave, 
where  I found  that  innumerable  quantity  of  treasure,  which  can- 
not he  expressed ; which  found,  I took  Ermclin  my  Avife  to  help 
me ; and  avc  ceased  not,  day  nor  night,  with  infinite  great  toil  and 
labour,  to  carry  and  convey  aAvay  this  treasure  to  another  place, 
much  more  convenient  for  us,  where  we  laid  it  safe  from  the 
search  of  any  creature. 

“ Thus  by  my  art  only  Avas  the  treason  of  Bruin  defeated,  for 
which  I noAv  suffer.  From  hence  sprang  all  my  misfortune,  as 
thus:  these  foul  traitors,  Bruin  and  Isegrim,  being  of  the  King’s 


80 


OP  REYNARD  THE  FOX. 


privatest  council,  and  sitting  in  high  and  great  authority,  tread 
upon  me,  poor  Reynard,  and  work  my  disgrace,  notwithstanding, 
for  your  Majesty’s  sake,  I have  lost  my  natural  father.  O my 
dread  Lord,  what  is  he,  or  who  can  tender  you  a better  affection, 
thus  to  lose  himself  to  save  you  ?” 

Then  the  King  and  Queen,  having  great  hope  to  get  this 
inestimable  treasure  from  Reynard,  took  him  from  the  gibbet ; 
and  the  King  taking  a straw  from  the  ground,  pardoned  the 
fox  of  all  liis  trespasses  which  either  he  or  his  father  had  ever 
committed.  If  the  fox  now  began  to  smile,  it  was  no  wonder ; 
the  sweetness  of  life  required  it : yet  he  fell  down  before  the  King 
and  Queen,  and  humbly  thanked  them  for  mercy,  protesting  that 
for  that  favour  he  would  make  them  the  richest  princes  in  the  world. 

Then  the  King  began  to  inquire  where  all  these  treasures  were 
hid,  and  Reynard  told  that  he  had  hid  them  in  a wood  called  llus- 
treloe,  near  a river  named  Crekinpit.  But  when  the  King  said 
that  he  had  never  heard  of  such  a place,  Reynard  called  forth 
Kyward  the  Ilare  from  among  the  rest  of  the  beasts,  and  com- 
manded him  to  come  before  the  King,  charging  him,  upon  his  faith 
and  allegiance  which  he  bore  to  the  King  and  Queen,  to  answer 
truly  to  such  questions  as  he  should  ask  him. 

The  hare  answered,  “ I will  speak  truth  in  all  things,  though 
I were  sure  to  die  for  the  same.” 

Then  the  fox  said,  “ Know  you  not  where  Crekinpit  floweth  ?” 
“ Yes,”  said  the  hare,  “ I have  known  it  any  time  these  dozen 
years ; it  runneth  in  a wood  called  Hustreloe,  upon  a vast  and 
wide  wilderness.” 

“Well,”  said  the  fox,  “you  have  spoken  sufficiently;  go  to 
your  place  again  ;”  so  away  went  the  hare. 

Then  said  the  fox,  “ My  sovereign  Lord  the  King,  what  say 
you  now  to  my  relation ; am  I worthy  your  belief  or  no  ?” 


REYNARD  BRINGS  FORWARD  THE  HARE  AS  HIS  WITNESS. 


TOE  STORY  OF  REYNARD  THE  FOX. 


83 


The  King  said,  “ Yes,  Reynard,  and  I beseech  thee  excuse  my 
jealousies;  it  was  my  ignorance  which  did  thee  evil;  therefore 
forthwith  make  preparation  that  we  may  go  to  this  pit  where  the 
treasure  lieth.” 

But  the  fox  answered  that  he  could  not  go  with  his  Majesty 
without  dishonour;  for  that  at  present  he  was  under  excommu- 
nication, and  that  it  was  necessary  that  he  should  go  to  Rome 
to  be  absolved,  and  that  from  thence  he  intended  to  travel  in  the 
Holy  Land.  “ The  course  you  propose  is  good,”  said  the  King ; 
“ go  on  and  prosper  in  your  intent.” 

Then  the  King  mounted  on  a rock,  and  addressing  his  sub- 
jects, told  them  how  that,  for  divers  reasons  best  known  to  him- 
self, he  had  freely  given  pardon  to  P^eynard,  who  had  cast  his 
wickedness  behind  him,  and  would  no  more  be  guilty  of  wrong- 
doing; and  furthermore,  he  commanded  them  all  to  reverence 
and  honour  not  only  Reynard,  but  also  his  wife  and  children.  At 
this,  Isegrim  the  "Wolf  and  Bruin  the  Bear  inveighed  against  the 
fox  in  such  an  unseemly  way,  that  his  Majesty  caused  them 
both  to  be  arrested  for  high  treason.  Now  when  the  fox  saw  this, 
he  begged  of  the  Queen  that  he  might  have  so  much  of  the  bear’s 
skin  as  would  make  him  a large  scrip  for  his  journey ; and  also 
the  skin  of  the  wolf’s  feet  for  a pair  of  shoes,  because  of  the  stony 
ways  he  would  have  to  pass  over.  To  this  the  Queen  consented, 
and  Reynard  saw  his  orders  executed. 

The  next  morning  Reynard  caused  his  new  shoes  to  be  well 
oiled,  and  made  them  fit  his  feet  as  tightly  as  they  had  fitted  the 
wolf’s.  And  the  King  commanded  Beilin  the  Ram  to  say  mass 
before  the  fox  ; and  when  he  had  sung  mass  and  used  many  cere- 
monies over  the  fox,  he  hung  about  Reynard’s  neck  his  rosary  of 
beads,  and  gave  him  into  his  hands  a palmer’s  staff. 


81 


THE  STORY  OE  REYNARD  THE  FOX. 


Then  the  King  took  leave  of  him,  and  commanded  all  that 
were  about  him,  except  the  bear  and  the  wolf,  to  attend  Reynard 
some  part  of  his  journey.  Oh  ! he  that  had  seen  how  gallant  and 
personable  Reynard  was,  and  how  well  his  staff  and  his  mail  be- 
came liim,  as  also  how  fit  his  shoes  were  for  his  feet,  it  could  not 
have  chosen  but  have  stirred  in  him  very  much  laughter.  But 
when  they  had  got  onward  on  their  way,  the  fox  entreated  all  the 
beasts  to  return  and  pray  for  him,  and  only  begged  of  Beilin  the 
Ram  and  Kyward  the  Hare  that  they  would  accompany  him  as 
far  as  Malepardus. 

Thus  marched  these  three  together;  and  when  Reynard  was 
come  to  the  gates  of  his  own  house,  he  said  to  Beilin,  “ Cousin,  I 
will  entreat  you  to  stay  here  without  a little,  whilst  I and  Kyward 
go  in.”  Beilin  was  well  content;  and  so  the  fox  and  the  hare 
wrent  into  Malepardus,  where  they  found  Dame  Ermelin  lying  on 
the  ground  with  her  younglings  about  her,  who  had  sorrowed 
exceedingly  for  the  loss  and  danger  of  her  husband  ; but  when 
she  savr  his  return,  her  joy  Avas  ten  times  doubled.  But  beholding 
his  mail,  his  staff,  and  his  shoes,  she  grew  into  great  admiration, 
and  said,  “Bear  husband,  Iioav  have  you  fared?”  so  he  told  all 
that  had  passed  with  him  at  the  King’s  court,  as  Avell  his  danger 
as  his  release,  and  that  now  he  was  to  go  a pilgrimage.  As  for 
KyAvard,  lie  said  the  King  had  bestoAved  him  upon  them,  to  do 
Avitli  him  Avhat  they  pleased,  affirming  that  Kyward  Avas  the  first 
that  had  complained  of  him,  for  which,  questionless,  he  voAved  to 
be  sharply  revenged. 

When  Kyward  heard  these  Avords,  he  Avas  much  appalled,  and 
Avould  fain  have  fled  aAvay ; but  he  could  not,  for  the  fox  had  got 
between  him  and  the  gate  ; who  presently  seized  the  hare  by  the 
neck,  at  Avliich  the  hare  cried  unto  Beilin  for  help,  but  could  not 


M 


REYNARD  ON  HIS  PILGRIMAGE  TO  ROME, 


THE  STOHY  OF  HEYNAHD  THE  FOX. 


87 


be  heard,  for  the  fox  in  a trice  had  tom  out  his  throat ; which 
done,  he,  his  wife,  and  young  ones  feasted  therewith  merrily, 
eating  the  flesh,  and  drinking  to  the  King’s  health. 

All  this  while  stood  Beilin  the  Ram  at  the  gate,  and  grew 
exceeding  angry  both  against  the  fox  and  the  hare,  that  they  made 
him  wait  so  long ; and  therefore  called  out  aloud  for  Reynard  to 
come  away,  which  when  Reynard  heard,  lie  went  forth,  and  said 
softly  to  the  ram,  “ Good  Beilin,  he  not  offended,  for  Ivy  ward  is 
in  earnest  conference  with  his  dearest  aunt,  and  entreated  me  to 
say  imto  you,  that  if  you  would  please  to  walk  before  he  would 
speedily  overtake  you,  for  he  is  light  of  foot  and  speedier  than 
you : nor  will  his  aunt  part  with  him  thus  suddenly,  for  she  and 
her  children  are  much  perplexed  at  my  departure.” 

“ Ay,  hut,”  quoth  Beilin,  “ metliought  I heard  Ivyward  cry 
for  help.” 

“ How,  cry  for  help  ? can  you  imagine  he  shall  receive  hurt  in 
my  house  ? far  he  such  a thought  from  you ; hut  I will  tell  you 
the  reason.  As  soon  as  we  were  come  into  my  house,  and  that 
Ermelin  my  wife  understood  of  my  pilgrimage,  presently  she  fell 
down  in  a swoon,  which  when  Ivyward  saAV,  he  cried  aloud,  £ O 
Beilin,  come,  help  my  aunt,  she  dies,  she  dies !’  ” 

Then  said  the  ram  : “ In  sadness  I mistook  the  cry,  and  thought 
the  liarc  had  been  in  danger.” 

“It  was  your  too  much  care  of  him,”  said  the  fox.  “But, 
letting  this  discourse  pass,  you  remember,  Beilin,  that  yesterday 
the  King  and  his  council  commanded  me  that,  before  I departed 
from  the  land,  I should  send  unto  him  two  letters,  which  I have 
made  ready,  and  will  entreat  you,  my  dearest  cousin,  to  bear  them 
to  his  Majesty.” 

The  ram  answered : “I  would  willingly  do  you  the  service  if 


88 


THE  STORY  OF  REYNARD  THE  FOX. 


there  he  nothing  but  honourable  matter  contained  in  your  letters ; 
but  I am  unprovided  of  any  thing  to  carry  them  in.” 

The  fox  said ; “ That  is  provided  for  you  already,  for  you  shall 
have  my  mail,  which  you  may  conveniently  hang  about  your 
neck ; I know  they  will  be  thankfully  received  of  his  Majesty, 
for  they  contain  matter  of  great  importance.” 

Then  Beilin  promised  to  carry  them.  So  the  fox  returned  into 
his  house,  and  took  the  mail,  and  put  therein  the  head  of  Kyward, 
and  brought  it  to  the  ram,  and  gave  him  a great  charge  not  to 
look  therein  till  it  was  presented  to  the  King,  as  lie  did  expect 
the  King’s  favour ; and  that  he  might  further  endear  himself  with 
his  Majesty,  he  bade  the  ram  take  upon  him  the  inditing  of  the 
letters,  “ which  will  be  so  pleasing  to  the  King,  that  questionless 
he  will  pour  upon  you  many  favours.” 

This  said,  Beilin  took  leave  of  the  fox  and  went  toward  the 
court,  in  which  journey  he  made  such  speed,  that  he  came  thither 
before  noon,  where  he  found  the  King  in  his  palace  sitting  amongst 
the  nobility. 

The  King  wondered  when  he  saw  the  ram  come  in  with  the 
mail  which  was  made  of  the  bear’s  skin,  and  said : “ Whence 
comest  thou,  Beilin,  and  where  is  the  fox,  that  you  have  that 
mail  about  you  ?” 

Beilin  answered : “ My  dread  Lord,  I attended  the  noble  fox 
to  his  house,  where,  after  some  repose,  he  desired  me  to  bear  cer- 
tain letters  to  your  Majesty  of  infinite  great  importance,  to  which 
I easily  consented.  Wherefore  he  delivered  me  the  letters  enclosed 
in  this  mail,  which  letters  I myself  indited,  and  I doubt  not  but 
they  are  such  as  will  give  your  highness  both  contentment  and 
satisfaction.”  Presently  the  King  commanded  the  letters  to  be 
delivered  to  Bocart,  his  secretary,  who  was  an  excellent  linguist 


TIIE  STORY  OF  REYNARD  THE  FOX. 


89 


and  understood  all  languages,  that  lie  might  read  them  publicly ; 
so  that  he  and  Tibert  the  Cat  took  the  mail  from  Beilin’s  neck, 
and  opening  the  same,  instead  of  letters  they  drew  out  the  head 
of  Ivyward  the  Hare,  at  which  being  amazed,  they  said : “Wo 
and  alas,  what  letters  call  you  these  ? Believe  it,  my  dread  Lord, 
here  is  nothing  but  the  head  of  poor  murdered  Kyward.” 

Which  the  King  seeing,  he  said : “Alas,  how  unfortunate  was 
I to  believe  the  traitorous  fox !”  And  with  that,  being  oppressed 
with  anger,  grief,  and  shame,  he  held  down  his  head  for  a good 
space,  and  so  did  the  Queen  also.  But  in  the  end,  shaking  his 
curled  locks,  he  groaned  out  such  a dreadful  noise,  that  all  the 
beasts  of  the  forest  did  tremble  to  hear  it. 

Then  the  King,  full  of  wrath,  commanded  the  bear  and  the  wolf 
to  be  released  from  prison,  and  gave  to  them  and  to  their  heirs 
for  ever  Beilin  and  all  his  generation. 

Thus  was  peace  made  between  the  King  and  these  nobles,  and 
Beilin  the  Bam  was  forthwith  slain  by  them;  and  all  these  privi- 
leges doth  the  wolf  hold  to  this  hour,  nor  could  ever  any  recon- 
cilement be  made  between  the  wolf’s  and  the  ram’s  kindred.  When 
this  peace  was  thus  finished,  the  King,  for  joy  thereof,  proclaimed 
a feast  to  be  held  for  twelve  days  after,  which  was  done  with  all 
solemnity. 

To  this  feast  came  all  manner  of  wild  beasts,  for  it  was  known 
through  the  whole  kingdom,  nor  was  there  wanting  any  pleasure 
that  could  be  imagined.  Also  to  this  feast  resorted  ahimdance  of 
feathered  fowl,  and  all  other  creatures  that  held  peace  with  his 
Majesty,  and  no  one  missing  hut  the  fox  only. 

Now  after  this  feast  had  thus  continued  in  all  pomp  the 
space  of  eight  days,  about  high  noon  came  Laprell  the  Babbit 
before  the  King  and  Queen,  as  they  sat  at  dinner,  and  with  a 


90 


THE  STORY  OF  REYNARD  THE  FOX. 


heavy  and  lamentable  voice  said : “ My  gracious  and  great  Lord, 
have  pity  upon  my  misery  and  attend  to  my  complaint,  which  is  of 
great  violence  which  Reynard  the  Pox  would  yesterday  have  com- 
mitted against  me.  As  I passed  by  the  castle  of  Malepardus, 
supposing  to  go  peaceably  towards  my  nest,  I saw  the  fox,  stand- 
ing without  his  gates,  attired  like  a pilgrim  and  telling  his  heads 
so  devoutly,  that  I saluted  him ; hut  he,  returning  no  answer, 
stretched  forth  his  right  foot,  and  with  his  pilgrim’s  staff  gave 
me  such  a blow  on  the  neck  between  the  head  and  shoulders,  that 
I imagined  my  head  had  been  stricken  from  my  body ; but  yet 
so  much  memory  was  left  me  that  I leaped  from  his  claws,  though 
most  grievously  hurt  and  wounded.  At  this  he  was  wrathful 
extremely,  because  I escaped ; only  of  one  of  my  ears  he  utterly 
deprived  me,  which  I beseech  your  Majesty  in  your  royal  nature 
to  pity,  and  that  this  bloody  murderer  may  not  live  thus  to  afflict 
your  poor  subjects.” 

The  royal  King  was  much  moved  with  anger  when  he  heard 
this  complaint,  so  that  his  eyes  darted  out  fire  amongst  the  beams 
of  majesty;  liis  countenance  was  dreadful  and  cruel  to  look  on, 
and  the  whole  court  trembled  to  behold  him.  In  the  end  lie  said  : 
“ By  my  crown,  I will  so  revenge  these  outrages  committed  against 
my  dignity,  that  goodness  shall  adore  me,  and  the  wicked  shall 
die  with  the  remembrance  ; his  falsehood  and  flattery  shall  no  more 
get  belief  in  me.  Is  this  his  journey  to  Rome  and  to  the  Holy  Land  ? 
are  these  the  fruits  of  his  mail,  his  staff,  and  other  ornaments  be- 
coming a devout  pilgrim  ? Well,  lie  shall  find  the  reward  of  his 
treason.  I will  besiege  Malepardus  instantly,  and  destroy  Rey- 
nard and  his  generation  from  the  earth  for  ever.” 

When  Grimbard  heard  this,  he  grew  exceedingly  sorry,  and 
stealing  from  the  rest,  he  made  all  haste  to  Malepardus,  and 


REYNARD  ATTACKETH  LAPRELL  THE  RABBIT. 


. 


. 


THE  STORY  OF  REYNARD  TnE  FOX. 


93 


told  to  his  uncle  all  that  had  happened.  Reynard  received  him 
with  great  courtesy,  and  the  next  morning  accompanied  him  back 
to  court,  confessing  on  his  way  many  heinous  sins,  and  obtaining 
absolution  from  the  badger.  The  King  received  him  with  a severe 
and  stately  countenance,  and  immediately  asked  him  touching  the 
complaint  of  Laprell  the  Rabbit. 

To  which  Reynard  made  answer : “ Indeed,  sire,  what  Laprell 
received  he  most  richly  deserved.  I gave  him  a cake  when  he  was 
hungry ; and  when  my  little  son  Rossel  wanted  to  share  a bit,  the 
rabbit  struck  him  on  the  mouth  and  made  his  teeth  bleed;  where- 
upon my  eldest  son  Reynardine  forthwith  leaped  upon  him,  and 
would  have  slain  him  had  I not  gone  to  the  rescue.”  Then  the 
rabbit,  fearing  Reynard,  stole  away  out  of  court. 

“ But,”  quoth  the  King,  “ I must  charge  you  with  another 
foul  treason.  When  I had  pardoned  all  your  great  transgressions, 
and  you  had  promised  me  to  go  a pilgrimage  to  the  Holy  Land ; 
when  I had  furnished  you  with  mail,  scrip,  and  all  things  fitting 
that  holy  order ; then,  in  the  greatest  despite,  you  sent  me  hack 
in  the  mail,  by  Beilin  the  Ram,  the  head  of  Kyward  the  Hare ; 
a thing  so  notoriously  to  my  disgrace  and  dishonour,  that  no 
treason  can  be  fouler.” 

Then  spake  Reynard  to  the  King,  and  said,  “ Alas,  my  sove- 
reign Lord,  what  is  that  you  have  said  ? Is  good  Kyward  the 
Hare  dead  ? Oh,  where  is  then  Beilin  the  Ram,  or  what  did  he 
bring  to  your  Majesty  at  his  return  ? For  it  is  certain  I delivered 
him  three  rich  and  inestimable  jewels ; I would  not  for  the  wealth 
of  India  they  should  be  detained  from  you ; the  chief  of  them  I 
determined  for  you  my  Lord  the  King,  and  the  other  two  for  my 
sovereign  Lady  the  Queen.” 

“ But,”  said  the  King,  “ I received  nothing  but  the  head  of 

N 


94 


THE  STORY  OF  REYNARD  THE  FOX. 


poor  murdered  Kyward,  for  which  I executed  the  ram,  he  having 
confessed  the  deed  to  he  done  by  his  advice  and  counsel.” 

“ Is  this  true  ?”  said  the  fox ; “ then  wo  is  me  that  ever  I was 
born,  for  there  are  lost  the  goodliest  jewels  that  ever  were  in  the 
possession  of  any  prince  living ; would  I had  died  when  you  were 
thus  defrauded,  for  I know  it  will  be  the  death  of  my  wife,  nor 
will  she  ever  henceforth  esteem  me.” 

Then  Reynard  told  the  King  and  Queen  of  the  great  value  of 
these  inestimable  jewels.  One  was  a gold  ring,  another  a comb 
polished  like  unto  fine  silver,  and  the  third  was  a glass  mirror ; 
and  so  great  were  the  virtues  of  this  rare  glass  that  Reynard  shed 
tears  to  think  of  the  loss  of  it.  When  the  fox  had  told  all  this,  he 
thus  concluded : “If  any  one  can  charge  me  with  crime  and  prove 
it  by  witness,  here  I stand  to  endure  the  uttermost  the  law  can 
inflict  upon  me ; but  if  malice  only  slander  me  without  witness,  I 
crave  the  combat,  according  to  the  law  and  instance  of  the  court.” 
Then  said  the  King,  “ Reynard,  you  say  well,  nor  know  I any 
thing  more  of  Ky ward’s  death  than  the  bringing  of  liis  head  unto 
me  by  Beilin  the  Ram ; therefore  of  it  I here  acquit  you.” 

“ My  dear  Lord,”  said  the  fox,  “ I humbly  thank  you ; yet  is 
his  death  grievous  unto  me.” 

But  Isegrim  the  Wolf  was  not  content  with  this  conclusion, 
and  defied  the  fox  to  mortal  combat.  This  challenge  the  fox 
accepted ; and  the  next  day  was  appointed  for  the  meeting. 

When  all  the  ceremonies  were  done,  and  none  but  the  com- 
batants were  in  the  lists,  the  wolf  went  toward  the  fox  with  in- 
finite rage  and  fury,  thinking  to  take  him  in  his  fore-feet;  but  the 
fox  leaped  nimbly  from  him,  and  the  wolf  pursued  him,  so  that 
there  began  a tedious  chase  between  them,  on  wiiicli  their  friends 
gazed.  The  wolf  taking  larger  strides  than  the  fox,  often  overtook 


THE  STORY  OF  REYNARD  THE  FOX. 


95 


him,  and  lifted  up  liis  feet  to  strike  him  ; but  the  fox  avoided  the 
blow,  and  smote  him  on  the  face  with  his  tail,  so  that  the  wolf 
was  stricken  almost  blind,  and  was  forced  to  rest  while  lie  cleared 
his  eyes ; which  advantage  when  Reynard  saw,  he  scratched  up 
the  dust  with  his  feet,  and  threw  it  in  the  eyes  of  the  wolf.  This 
grieved  him  worse  than  the  former,  so  that  he  durst  follow  him  no 
longer,  for  the  dust  and  sand  sticking  in  his  eyes  smarted  so  sore, 
that  of  force  he  must  rub  and  wash  it  away ; which  Reynard  see- 
ing, with  all  the  fury  he  had  he  ran  upon  him,  and  with  his  teeth 
gave  him  three  sore  wounds  on  his  head. 

Then  the  wolf  being  enraged,  said,  “ I will  make  an  end  of  this 
combat,  for  I know  my  very  weight  is  able  to  crush  him  to  pieces ; 
and  I lose  much  of  my  reputation,  to  sutfer  him  thus  long  to  con- 
tend against  me.”  And  this  said,  he  struck  the  fox  again  so  sore 
a blow  on  the  head  with  his  foot,  that  he  fell  down  to  the  ground ; 
and  ere  he  could  recover  himself  and  arise,  the  wolf  caught  him  in 
his  feet  and  threw  him  under  him,  lying  upon  him  in  such  wise, 
as  if  he  would  have  pressed  him  to  death. 

Then  the  fox  bethought  himself  how  lie  might  best  get  free ; 
and  thrusting  his  hand  down,  he  caught  the  wolf  fast  by  the  belly, 
and  he  wrung  him  so  extremely  hard  thereby,  that  he  made  him 
shriek  and  howl  out  with  the  anguish,  and  in  the  end  the  wolf  fell 
over  and  over  in  a swoon;  then  presently  Reynard  leaped  upon 
him,  and  drew  him  about  the  lists  and  dragged  him  by  the  legs, 
and  struck,  wounded,  and  bit  him  in  many  places,  so  that  the 
whole  field  might  take  notice  thereof. 

Then  a great  shout  was  raised,  the  trumpets  were  sounded,  and 
every  one  cried,  “ Honour  to  the  fox  for  this  glorious  conquest.” 
Reynard  thanked  them  all  kindly,  and  received  their  congratula- 
tions with  great  joy  and  gladness.  And,  the  marshals  going  before, 


96 


THE  STORY  OF  REYNARD  THE  FOX. 


they  went  all  to  the  King,  guarding  the  fox  on  every  side,  all  the 
trumpets,  pipes,  and  minstrelsy  sounding  before  him. 

When  Reynard  came  before  the  King  he  fell  on  his  knees,  but 
the  King  hade  him  stand  up,  and  said  to  him,  “ Reynard,  you 
may  well  rejoice,  for  you  have  won  much  honour  this  day  ; there- 
fore here  I discharge  you,  and  set  you  free  to  go  whither  your 
own  will  leads  you.”  So  the  court  broke  up,  and  every  beast 
returned  to  his  own  home. 

With  Reynard,  all  his  friends  and  kinsfolk,  to  the  number  of 
forty,  took  their  leave  also  of  the  King,  and  went  away  with  the 
fox,  who  was  no  little  glad  that  he  had  sped  so  well,  and  stood  so 
far  in  the  King’s  favour ; for  now  lie  had  power  enough  to  advance 
whom  he  pleased,  and  pull  down  any  that  envied  his  fortune. 

After  some  travel  the  fox  and  his  friends  came  to  his  borough 
or  castle  of  Malepardus,  where  they  all,  in  noble  and  courteous 
manner,  took  leave  of  each  other,  and  Reynard  did  to  every  one  of 
them  great  reverence,  and  thanked  them  for  the  love  and  honour 
he  had  received  from  them,  protesting  evermore  to  remain  their 
faithful  servant,  and  to  send  them  in  all  things  wherein  his  life 
or  goods  might  he  available  unto  them ; and  so  they  shook  hands 
and  departed. 

Then  the  fox  went  to  Dame  Ermelin  his  wife,  who  welcomed 
him  with  great  tenderness ; and  to  her  and  her  children  he  related 
at  large  all  the  wonders  which  had  befallen  him  at  court,  and 
missed  no  tittle  or  circumstance  therein.  Then  grew  they  proud 
that  his  fortune  was  so  excellent ; and  the  fox  spent  his  days  from 
thenceforth,  with  his  wife  and  children,  in  great  joy  and  content. 


ROBSON,  LEVEY,  AND  FRANKLIN,  GREAT  NEW  STREET. 


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